Casserole Dish by CUL DE SAC

Broach by ERIN DOLMAN

Lucky Cat Infant T-shirt by SUMIYA CLOTHING

Eco Cup Cosy by LAURA BUCCI HANDMADE

Sock Monkey by AMRITA DESIGNS

Inspiration Board by BLISS IN A TEACUP

Artwork by ASAMI TSUKADA

Stuffed Giraffe by AUDRA NEIL

Tank top and jewelry by URBAN DAMES

It always seems like there’s so much more to do in the summer, so I apologize for slacking in the blog department. Lately I’d much rather be wandering around and checking stuff out than being at the studio….. but I’ve managed to get a bunch of stuff out in between siestas and cervesas, including two new shops. Check it out:

Twigs Home and Garden in Sisters, OR

Treehouse in Berkeley, CA

Karmavore in New Westminster, BC  (congrats on 1 year guys!!!)

I’m also really proud to announce my first show for the year, August 22nd at Britania Center here in Vancouver. It should be really fun, with a great lineup of other makers selling their wares and art. Mark your calendars, we’ll be setup 12-5. I should have some Fall items ready by then, so I guess I won’t be slacking off so much after all this summer. See you there!! Janna

A friend of mine recently asked me if I had any words of advice for his daughter, who had just started using a sewing machine…..

First of all, I think the key to sewing (and many things in life) is to be patient. Rushing through things to get them done has never really served me well, and even if they turn out okay in the end, I haven’t been able to enjoy the process.

Always pay attention to what you’re doing when you’re cutting something out…. it’s just as easy to do a good job cutting as a bad job, but if you cut things out well, it will be much easier to put them together.

Make sure you have everything you need before starting on something…. it’s much easier to finish things that you don’t have to stop halfway through to go get something you forgot.

The stitch ripper is your friend, expect to use it periodically, sometimes with tears. Sewing can be frustrating, but picking something apart because you’ve made a mistake will sometimes teach you more than getting it right the first time: you will NEVER make that mistake again, because you will always remember taking it apart stitch by stitch.

Using the right kind of needles in your machine is important, and make sure they are sharp. Be sure your machine is threaded properly as well, as many problems arise from simply forgetting to thread the machine right, which leads to using the stitch ripper, which sometimes leads to tears. If you eliminate potential problems, it’s much smoother sailing, particularly when you’re just learning how to do something.

Finally, enjoy what you’re doing…. I think half the fun is the process, so try to enjoy everything as it happens. Don’t get too stressed about things, if it doesn’t work out, doesn’t fit or looks funny, the next one will be better, I promise. Learn from your mistakes, don’t be scared to ask questions along the way, and wear what you’ve made with pride. Hope that helps!! XO Janna

Hey Everyone!! I hope the weather is nice where you are…. it’s been really nice in Vancouver until today, it’s now pouring out, which means no more summertime distractions: it’s time to get serious around the studio!!

There’s lots of stuff to report, including a shout out to our Plate And Simple contest winner Lara in Hatboro PA!! Your bag will be arriving shortly. Congrats!!

If you’re currently jealous of Lara, not to worry, you can get your own new bag quick and easy, with our new spring/summer collection available online and at the following shops with recent orders either in shop or enroute:

In the Lower Mainland there’s new things to be found at the Vancouver Art Gallery, Riot, Tartooful and Karmavore. In Ottawa, a nice box of lovely things is headed to Adorit and for our friends in Victoria be sure to stop by Whirled Arts.

I’ll be sending more boxes out shortly, as well as starting work on items for fall…. let’s just say there will be plenty of things to do. See you in a bit!! XO Janna

Hey Everybody!! You know the saying ‘there’s no such thing as a free lunch?’, well there is such a thing as a FREE ASTROSATCHEL!!

I’m pleased to announce a little contest being held by a really great vegan blog based in Vancouver, you can enter to win a free medium tote from my webshop, whichever one is your favorite….. I think that’s pretty good deal!!

I did a really great interview with Hilary from plateandsimple talking about bags, fashion etc…. Who knew I was so chatty?? Check out her blog, enter to win and try some of her super yummy recipes, you’ll be glad you did!! Good Luck!! XO Janna

We can all use a bit more colour in our lives these days, so if you’re finding yourself lacking, look no further: OUR SPRING COLECTION IS HERE!! It’s more about colour and shape, rather than specific ‘things’ so let your inner minimal-modernist out and put some colour back in your life. Everything is available now in my online shopping store, check it out!!

STITCHED FIREWORKS — I’m loving this random combination of stitching and colours right now, which to me look like fireworks, but could really be just about anything, which is the real wonder of modernism!!

HYACINTH — this has a certain gum-ball feel to it, but without the 5 second sugary sweetness followed by the remorse of having wasted a quarter on something that now tastes like nothing.

JADE PLANT — A perennial favorite houseplant, brought to life in vivid brights, no need to water.

MOD BLOBS — I’m loving this very organic looking applique, which reminds me of 70’s curtains  and garden pavers all at once.

SEA GULL — this makes me think of my daily walks along the sea wall in Coal Harbour, watching the birds and boats and feeling the wind in my hair, while praying that I don’t get pooped on by one of the birds.

SPROUTS — I always love when they show time lapse videos of seeds sprouting into plants, don’t you? I like the modern form on this bag too, satisfying both my love of nature and simple forms all at once.

WHEAT — inspired in part by the wheat emblazoned freight cars that pass beneath my studio window, and 80’s patchwork leather purses. Feather clip not included….

Let me know what you think of everything, and I’ll be in touch again soon with open studio details. Bye for now, and enjoy!! XO Janna

Hey, it’s a beautiful day in Vancity, so I’m taking some pictures of the new bags I’ve made for Spring. I’ll post them soon, and hopefully get them into the webshop as well. Things are good, my tooth is out and I’m back to normal (yay!!) so I’m planning lots of stuff for the summer, including lots of open studio dates if you’re visiting from out of town. See you soon!! Janna