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.

Quest for the Orangeman

I'm happy that the Orangeman is back!

We sold out on the Orangeman Cycling Cap last November, and I'm happy to present the new & improved Orangeman Cycling Cap!

The fabric is thinner and more comfortable than it's predecessor. The new version is made from cotton/polyester twill and 100% natural cotton trim.

This was a long quest that lasted awhile, around four months. I hate it when fabric suppliers don't renew their stock thinking that bright colors only sell in the Summer. My quest is actually half done. I'm still looking for the three color Dutch stripe.

I've exhausted my limited resources around town, now I'm ready to go outside Vancouver on a road trip.Tomorrow we'll check it out and go to Port Coquitlam to check out Fabricana's notion sale. Cross my fingers!

Early teaching days & two new projects

 Le Cowl

There's always time to knit. Or should I say crochet. I just finished a big cowl (above) & a knitted scarf (below).

I don't remember when I crochet something so big. The largest project I made lately are dishcloths. Although, when I was young I was crocheting more than I was knitting. I was in grade 4 and Madame Pinard was my teacher. She always gave us 1 hour free time at the end of the day. Call it down time.

I suggested to her that it would be fun to gather students to crochet. I was making my mother a blanket and this gave me the opportunity to work in secret at school. It was a surprise. I remember the colors: four squares sewn together mostly black with accents of teal, purple & yellow. Even now, when I think about it those colors were dynamite. I bet that one of my family members has it in their Québec cabin.

My classmates thought the idea was fun, too. Their was five girls involved including one boy. I actually helped them all in their Christmas projects. After Christmas, it ended lasting for one term. It was short and intense and a lot of fun. It was an experience that I will always remember showing people my love for crochet. It was my first teaching experience.

I finished a similar scarf (last posted here) 

so comfortable that I wear it everyday.

So, I decided to make this one for sale!

Celebrating our new Paris-Roubaix cycling cap!

Richard wearing the new Galstudio...

Paris-Roubaix Cycling Cap!

Today is the 2nd anniversary of Galstudio's very first cycling cap sale. It's hard to believe it's two years ago. And, to celebrate we're proud to introduce our ....new Paris-Roubaix Cycling Cap!

French Tricolore detail...

Vive le France!

Images: Galstudio

When I first discovered Etsy, my ambition was to sell my knit goods. Here are some stats. That was November 2008. By March, 2009 Richard suggested that cycling caps will sell. I listed my first cycling cap in mid march, a few days later it sold in the United States.

That was my first sale on Etsy and I knew that my cycling caps would be popular. This was the first step for Galstudio to become a platform to sell cycling caps. When Richard came on board, last year, it became our real business.

My very first cycling cap was called Paris-Roubaix. It took me many hours to develop it. Richard was picky with the design, he said, “It just had to look and fit right.” The cycling cap had to sit comfortably on top of the head. It's not a baseball cap. So, I had to make a mock up design... many of them. I chose the fabric a classic brown/beige plaid. I haven't seen a cycling cap like it before. I had purchased enough fabric for two caps. And, both sold right away.

Now, I like to bring back the name and a new cycling cap. I love the name Paris-Roubaix, and I'm so excited to present it as a 3 panel cap with a new feature; 2 bold black stripes for that racy feel. Richard's idea was the French tricolore and my idea was the placement of that splash of color. I think it works elegantly well.

After close to a thousand caps made, I’m so happy how Galstudio’s cycling caps have evolved. I feel that, with this new Paris-Roubaix, I’m bringing the cycling cap to the world of haute couture!

Stretching My Rubber!

Richard with the new Musette de Ville bags...

We've been very busy! And, I have gone crazy developing new products with the help from Richard. Our new 3 panel caps were just the beginning...

Our new SoMa Rubber iPad Envelopes. 

I woke up with the idea of the envelope and put it to paper, make the pattern & the prototype. I just love when it goes together, smoothly.

A few days ago, we discovered a new supplier of fabric. I couldn't find this fabric until now. It's called Ecospun felt, made from post consumer pop bottles. Not too thick but the perfect thickness for the
SoMa Rubber iPad Envelope. I don't own an iPad, but I tried my prototype envelope at the local Apple Store. We couldn't be more excited when we touched the iPad. I'm in love! I turn towards Richard and declared, "I want one!"

It was the perfect fit and I knew I didn't have to re-adjust it . We took it back to the studio and started production. Richard got busy washing all the inner tubes and had them all dry for me to start. I like the different colors of felt on the inside and it's so beautiful.

This is our 2nd generation of musette called Musette de Ville. The first musette was more simple like the classic design except for the added zipper. We felt that we needed to redesign the strap. Everyone prefers to wear it at a certain length. So, we made the strap adjustable and we designed a stronger strap with fabric & rubber inner tube. It was Richard's idea to have the musette match the 3 panel caps. I added the stripes & corner tabs to solidify the bottom of the bag. It's stronger than a typical musette bag but lighter than a messenger bag. It's the perfect day bag on or off the bike.

I'm so proud that our two amazing products are now on sale on Etsy & available at  Bird On The Wire Creations in Vancouver!

Galstudio's New 3 Panel Cycling Caps!

The newest design...

Richard sporting 'The Canuck Cycling Cap'
Galstudio's 3 Panel Cycling Cap!

Over a year ago, I had the idea of creating colorful cycling caps. With a small business, we often wear many types of 'hats' and certain ideas get put away. It seems that time is always scarce for new projects.

Richard and I are excited to present part of our new collection for 2011...

The Canuck, Le Belge, La Francaise, Viva Italia & Good Vibrations.

These 5 caps are all colorful and we believe, fun to own & wear. This project has been so fun to work on. I don't know if it's because of the new 3 panel design or the colors. It's wonderful. Richard has worked hard on each cycling cap description now available in our Etsy site.

We're already working on new design ideas for 3 panel cycling caps!

"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!