Stitch

Do you remember going out for a shopping outing, in anticipation, with your heart fluttering at the prospect of what you might find?

Well I think those days are pretty well gone, with the harsh reality of big box stores and the giant discount retailers making it some what a thing of the past. Here in Jordan village, what gets my heart fluttering is a shop called Stitch.

The brain child of Jocelyn Chamberlain, a woman as lovely and gentle as the needle arts she promotes and champions, Stitch is presented as a sanctuary and reprieve for the needle art enthusiast and knitter.
Housed in a quaint and charming cottage it embodies everything that is required for experiencing these crafts up front and personal.


Jocelyn's passion for what she does is clearly evident everywhere you look.

The finest yarns in up to the minute colors and weights beckon to be fashioned into
whatever your imagination holds. Books and kits so beguiling, that if you are a fabric or textile junky like myself, make you want to create!!!

The fabrics and notions are artistically presented in the same colour ways making it easier to envision a finished project.  All the cabinets and cupboards are vintage, and no detail is spared in the presentation.

Whimsy abounds in the vignettes, here Jocelyn's take on the Princess and the Pea!

....and the Twelve Days of Christmas.

 A Christmas kit from French General, available for the holidays.

Jocelyn has created a soft and inviting atmosphere for browsing and creating to your hearts content.

You feel as if you have stepped back in time.  You will not hear loud music blaring. You will see only worn finishes, experience

soft, low lighting, her carefully edited and chosen vintage pieces which enhance every space and

her helpful and expert advice when asked for.

Jocelyn also sells vintage fabric which is my downfall!!!

Beautiful chenille threads and buttons and bobs to embellish every project....

...displayed in vintage, well weathered receptacles, which give them even more allure!!

My weakness!!!

Two evenings a week, Jocelyn invites you to knit or stitch. The fireplace is going, splooshy linen covered sofas invite you to rest and create and get away from it all.  Hot mugs of steaming tea are offered and usually a lovely home made cookie or sweet. Even her vintage china is beautifully displayed and shared with kindred spirits and new comers alike.

Special classes with world renowned needle artists, often include lunch as well. They are as memorable as the class itself, served on lovely heirloom dishes and linens.

What I love the most about Stitch is the fairytale atmosphere which Jocelyn has created for her customers.  Everywhere, whimsy abounds, which I have tried to capture but can never truly replicate here.

Notice the tiny fabric mouse on the apron, on this vintage dress form.  Truly delightful!

Peace and serenity envelop you as you work your way around the eye catching displays and vignettes.

Truly a sanctuary for the needle artist and knitter.

An escape from the frenetic pace of today's world.

Jocelyn has acquired her goal beautifully. Her customers are beckoned by the simple beauty and serenity of her store. Her products and classes are very sought after, and popular among local and distant enthusiasts alike.  I am especially happy to have her right around the corner!

She has restored my faith in the unique shopping experience.

Wouldn't you just love to knit or stitch?

Stitch is located at 3799 Main Street in Jordan Village, Ontario, Canada.

www.stitchonline.ca

Vintage Christmas

Every year around this time, I start to think about decorating the house for Christmas, thinking only....

I can hardly believe I have only six short weeks, it seems, to pull it all together!

But every year I think this year is going to be different, and I will be ready, organized and rested???

Yesterday I began pulling out some boxes and some of the first things to be unwrapped were my Father Christmas figures, which I have collected for years. Obviously, since they were on top, they must have been the last things to be wrapped up and put away.

I know they may seem a little dated to some, but there is something about them that just tugs at my heart strings every year.

I have tried to keep my collection somewhat colour co ordinated, creamy whites or pastels,

and always looked for those which have vintage fabric in the construction.

The faces have to speak to me, no waxy, blank stares allowed!

This sweet little Christmas angel, was made from snippets of my wedding veil.  She always holds a special place on my mantel.

The toys she is holding are totally handmade and her hair is unbleached sheep's wool.

Her halo is moss from the garden.

Since I have two boys, this one is very special to me, and I usually set it in the front foyer.

I added the tiny heart, covered in vintage mother of pearl buttons, which you can see in the crook of his arm.

All of the materials which were used are old, wool blankets, lovely lace, pearl buttons and natural fabrics.

A little elf sits on a snowball ornament I found at Homesense.

These stockings were made from wool blankets, which I recycled and embellished with

mostly anything I had stashed in my sewing box. 

A little glitter from a vintage brooch and some mica crystals goes a long way

for adding sparkle!

Vintage pearls, spun gold buillion, faded velvet flowers and string, tell of a magpie personality!

I made several for gifts, and kept two which worked well into my own Christmas decor.

This pretty pink one, my Mom helped me make.  I embellished it with a vintage mother of pearl pin.

I am always on the hunt for these pins, made at sea by sailors, for their mothers or sweethearts.

They are difficult to find.

This little elf, sitting in a fresh cedar wreath moves around for the holidays.

I always look to change up my decorations every year, just a little, but the vintage Father Christmas figures remain center stage and forefront in my home.

Marie Antoinette for Christmas??

This little thrift store find, for next to nothing, got me thinking about Christmas???

She has a French air about her and I thought it would make a great gift, holding court, perched on a vintage cake plate dome.

The type that are discarded now by today's homemakers. Usually they are made of tin or aluminum and have lovely glass plates as bases.

Hmmmmm?   Food for thought.

Downsizing....Part Two.

Continuing from my last post.....you can see the front door entrance.  Although a little dated, just painting it milk, enhanced the glass oval insert, and sets off the bevelled glass and brass features.

It picks up on the glass prisms of the chandelier and ties all of the glass inside the kitchen and dining areas together.

Here you can see the new counters more clearly.

A good view of the dining room, not overly large, but it accomodates her ten dining chairs easily when needed for special family gatherings. We moved the other two chairs to different areas of the house.

Looking for an area carpet to soften the space between table and flooring.  Perhaps something with soft taupes, creams  and a touch of black? or some colour?

This is the living room, which you step down to from the front foyer.

A new wood floor replaced the old one, which was a much lighter colour.

This furniture was also from her original home, a lovely butter colour plush velour like fabric on the soft furnishings.

We kept the coffee table, and the gorgeous tub chairs. Another example of longevity for items with good design features that don't scream "trendy".

I wish I had taken a picture of these chairs before they were reupholstered in the soft zebra fabric.

They were covered in a fun red "Bollywood" design from a previous decor. Sandy had kept them stored in her basement, and I knew they would look great as accent chairs for this room.

Notice the white doggie on the hearth in the family room, a gift from a dear friend.

Still on the hunt for the perfect area rug to finish off this space.

I found this gorgeous piece for Sandy several years ago. It looks very French and the lovely marble top has just the right amount of wear or patina to it. I had the lamp made from spare chandelier parts  and the matching one is on her little buffet in the dining room. Yet again confirming good design is never dated.

The beautiful gold leaf mirror is a keeper and looks lovely with the intricate design on the chest.

The lovely tub chairs at the far end of the room, anchor it. Notice the beautiful vintage floor lamp I found at a local antique shop. It casts a soft glow on the oil painting above.

Here you can see the gorgeous fringe treatment on the chairs and a better look at the fabric detail.

Two tiny gilded birds reflect the candlelight atop the mirrored coffee table.

Sandy is a wonderful hostess and great cook. Although she was giving up some square footage in this home, she was not prepared to sacrifice any living or entertaining space.The layout of this area of the house is very condusive to groups of guests or family spreading out into the adjoining rooms quite easily and effortlessly.

More of that soft butter colour in accents used here and there in the living room.

This beautiful vintage candle sconce is another great find that fits in beautifully.

This table top lamp is the second set I have sourced and been commissioned to make.
I love the way they work into any space. Here I have grouped it with another lamp, something I am doing a lot of lately, grouping lamps!

I love making things out of what others consider insignificant and watching them come to life.

The tinkering and puttering in me.

A view of the living room from the family room. All of the pieces here were kept, and as you can see work very well.  The leather sofa and chair are prerequisites for Don, and are softened with

tapestry pillows  and vintage throws.

....another view of the little details that make a room interesting.

Since I have known Sandy she has always played hostess to many gatherings in her homes for family and friends alike. Throwing parties for friend's daughters engagements, her family's birthdays and anniversaries is nothing for Sandy to orchestrate, she gives generously of her time and her home.

Just two short months after moving into this, perhaps her last home, they welcomed a beautiful little grand-daughter, Lily.  Sandy advised me that she would be hosting a baby shower for Lindsey a month after moving. I was never doubtful that she would not be finished with the renovation in time for the event...and she was!

This home, Sandy says is her favourite!

I want to thank Sandy and Don for inviting my readers into their home.

I hope it will inspire you when decorating or renovating yours.