wishing

it's remembrance day here in canada today.

a day for thoughtful reflection and hoping for peace.

a day when i feel especially thankful for the freedoms and liberties and human rights we work toward, and must continue to work toward, here in canada.

---> the white poppy Papaver somniferum

a day when i feel thankful for the folks that are leaders in peace and peaceful conflict resolution and the folks to strive to find common ground on small and large scales in our world.

a day when i hope for more peace for every person. wishing you a thoughtful & peaceful day.

what are you wishing for today?

congratulations!

oh gosh! i just love you nicies!

i love hearing all of your favourite dancin' tunes as entries into the fabulous tomate d'epingles necklace giveaway! thanks!

i tallied the entries, and random.org found us a winner! congratulations to #52 .... Eliza of eliza + axel! wait til you see the lovely lovely goodies she creates! heavens! i'm such a fan of her gorgeous cascading tees. beautiful! so happy dancing, lovelies.

and be sure to enter the next rikrak studio giveaway, on now! and thanks so much tomate & eliza!

playlist & a giveaway! with avril loreti

i just adore the gorgeous and fresh and colour-perfect world of avril loreti.

i love the ways in which avril is inspired by beautiful everyday objects and then creates goodies with an uncanny flair for creative design sensibility.

her adorable cocktail napkins, coasters, hankerchiefs & pillows would be a sensational addition to any stylin' home or ensemble. and with the Holidays coming up, there is no end to the folks i know who would ADORE her creations as gifts: hostesses, friends, co-workers, kissing friends, family, etc, etc! and now you can WIN one of her amazing handkerchief sets for yourself! i know - AMAZING! read on, lovelies!

and you can catch avril LIVE this week in Toronto between Nov 12-15 at the Craft Off the Lot show! (it's at 1030 King Street West (at Shaw) .. looks like a fabulous group of artists - so be sure to check it out!

now for a fabulous avril loreti playlist!

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dj: avril loreti
playlist theme: the road trip mix tape playlist

Helen of Troy – Telefon Tel Aviv
Moonlight Desires – Gowan
Fences – Phoenix
Seventeen – Ladytron
Violet – Hole
Kissability – Sonic Youth
Faces – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Deserter – Matthew Dear
TMNT Mask – Chad VanGaalen
Hold Me – Fleetwood Mac
Gamma Ray – Beck
Legal Man – Belle and Sebastian

in her own words: "My ever-evolving Road Trip Mix is my favourite playlist to work on. It’s always changing depending on season, destination, and reason for getting out of town. It has to start off chill for when you coast out of your driveway, then it has to pick up the pace to something exciting once you hit the highway. It has to cover plenty of genres and ages so that your ‘Trip Co-pilot’ will be like “hun? I would have never thought those ditties could mix so well together”. You also have to throw in some songs that you know really well, along with some not-so-well-known-gems to keep things interesting. It’s a definite must to have a guilty pleasure tucked in there (Yes, Gowan!). Oh and if it’s a really good mix, then it’ll end on the perfect song that you just want to blare out of the car speakers once you’ve hit your destination. That’s my idea of a great Road Trip Mix."

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woohoo! love it, avril! you're my kind of road-tripper! while you're checking out these great tunes, see what avril is offering one lucky rikrak studio reader....

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one lucky reader will win

a set of 4 mustache hankies!
super woohoo! aren't those are the funnest!?
thanks so much, avril!

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here's how to enter the giveaway!

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

1. go visit the lovely avril loreti shop
... take a look around ... come back here and leave a comment in this post about your fave goodie from her shop & why.= 1 entry

2. leave us a comment on YOUR FAVE road trip song to travel to!
... = 1 entry

3. visit the avril loreti blog and leave her a comment on one of the fun posts.
... then come back here and tell us about it. = 1 entry.

4. tweet on twitter
about this giveaway and leave us a link to it in a separate comment here. please be sure to include @therikrakshop so i can find you! :) = 1 more possible entry.

5. blog about this giveaway and leave us a link to it in a separate comment here.= 1 more possible entry

6. follow or subscribe to the rikrak studio blog
and leave me a comment here telling us that you do! = 1 more possible entry.

7. :: PLEASE NOTE:
each entry must be it's own comment.. thanks! ::

..........................................

:: RULES ::
a) it is possible to have a maximum of 6 entries total per person.
b) please make sure to leave each entry as it's own comment. thanks!
c) using random.org, 1 winner of the avril loreti giveaway will be chosen on
monday november 16th @ 9pm EST.
d) please be sure to leave me an email where i can reach you if your account doesn't link to one. thanks.

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i should also note that avril is one of my sponsors, and i'm thrilled to have her!
happy road trips, cuties!
{ps: last day to enter the tomate depingles necklace giveaway today, too! yay free delights!}

slumber party revealed: follow up to * who are your top 3 LONG time movie star crushes?*

woody allen onesie by truly sanctuary
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don't you just love a slumber party? comfy pjs, silly movies, telling your friends, old & new, your thoughts & crushes & dreams.... such fun! so i thought i'd invite you to the fun continuing series on the rikrak studio blog... the rikrak slumber party. here's a followup to the question i asked a while back: who are your top 3 LONGTIME movie-star crushes? thanks for your fun answers! be sure to visit all of the slumber party posts here and chime in!

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monday's are a wonderful day to daydream, aren't they?
so here's a roundup of some lovely arts n' crafters and who they've been swooning over on the silver screen for many many moons now, as revealed here.

* sigh *


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lil fishand mchen have been swooning over James Dean for as long as they can recall.
goodness sakes!

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small town heart and girlsavage love Cary Grant.
me too.

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johnny depp was a longtime fave of many, from way back in his 21 jump street tv days, including: ponderandstitch & plushroom soup

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that cad Clark Gable (as Rhett Butler!) has designed by rj & string me along swooning

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Random Pretties & sugared ink love that Grease-era John Travolta!

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bebeandalice & thelittlereddoor & littlegraypixel love that charming john cusack.

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theemptynest and suzies cards decided to fight me for 1970's era robert redford

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and nancy wallis designs didn't seem to want to share george clooney with me at all. :) alas!

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and that wonderful Paul Newman was a long-time fave of many an artist & crafter, including elanknits. i'm blushing just looking at that photo!

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goodness sakes alive!
i fear getting some work done today might be a challenge! what a way to start the week!

so tune in later this week for a new round of slumber party fun.
*sigh* & happy monday, cuties!

what i'm working on: stockings stockings stockings

happy friday lovely! so here's a little bit of what i've been working on lately: stockings!

i gotta say - i love making ecofelt stockings, and i love it when folks ask for a custom colour-combo - gosh my customers are great idea-folks! so here are some of the ones i've made up of late!

i'd love to hear what you've been working on!



{ps: don't forget to enter the tomatedepingles necklace giveaway here! yay!}

and have a wonderful, productive weekend, nicies!

{hand}making change : the scribble group

like many lovelies out there, i'm greatly inspired by folks that create change for the better in the world. gosh.... folks do this in so many wonderful ways. in this new rikrak studio series, we'll be meeting wonderful lovelies who are creating a better world with their handicraft. thanks for inspiring good in the world, each and every one of you. today, here's the first {hand)making change feature.

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there is a group of wonderful handcrafters i know who meet on a daily basis to to share stories, encourage one another, share their art and cheer each other on over virtual coffee. that's a wonderful thing in itself!

the wonderful souls who are part of the canadian buy n' sell party on etsy are a warm and welcoming group, and whenever i pop in, i'm always cheered by their friendly welcomes and kind words. a few months ago, these lovelies decided to take on a group art project where "the concept is to practise the art of being creative while letting go of preconceived thoughts and barriers of what art 'should' look like. Art for arts’ sake." it was the brainchild of member Emmarts, and folks loved the idea!

papers of your choice were passed between 3 members of the group all across Canada, and as each member added their own beautiful touches, both fabulous mixed-media art & a gorgeous idea was born. now The Scribble Group on etsy is a wonderful little shop where you can buy the artworks made by these lovely souls, and all of the proceeds from sales in the shop go toward supporting a wonderful charity.

currently, the Group donates all of it's monies toward 'Use words, not guns' a "project that originated through a city wide task force on guns and gangs violence intervention and prevention." Scribble Group member StuffbySteph is a vital part of the "Use words, not guns" mandate, and she writes: "The winter months are upon us and the needs (of the task force) are high. I am beyond thrilled to be a part of the Scribble Group's 'love and heart of scribbling.'

it's wonderful to see handmaking artists not only expanding the parameters of art, but making change, thru their art, in such meaningful ways. so be sure to visit The Scribble Group shop, peruse the gorgeous gallery of their works, and know that your art purchase will go toward using words, not guns. inspiring work, nicies!

have an inspiring story to share about {hand}making change in your own world? please let me know! i'm always looking for new folks who have a story of change to share! thanks!

playlists & a giveaway: with tomate depingles

you know what i really love in fashion?
a gorgeous personality to go with an uniquely gorgeous look. i think the two working together is what pull off truly sensational, forward thinking fashion!

enter the wonderful tomate d'epingles! a sisterly duo who handcrafts gorgeous statement jewelry that possess the magic of speaking volumes without saying a word: just like great art does! and these two nicies are among the loveliest handcrafters around!

i have to tell you: i'm the proud owner of a number of tomatedepingles pieces (you know how i love fun jewelry!) and without a doubt, whenever i wear a piece, folks swoon over it! and... as soon as i put on a tomate de pingles piece, i gotta say.. i just instantly feel gorgeous & smiley! magic, huh? keep reading to see how you can WIN one!

i love tomatedepingles and the brilliant ways artists Guylaine and Isabelle (one of whom is now working on their jewelry-ing full time! yay!) combine recycled, natural, vintage & retro elements into their magnificient accessories. film negatives into earrings, reclaiming leather into rings, these personality pieces are sure to charm!

{i thought you might also like to know that i love their work so much that this season some lucky rikrak customers receive tomate d'epingles jewelry as a gift with their purchase! you'll love it!}

so check out their beautiful shop, read a little bit more about these superstars here, and bask in the delight that by purchasing tomatedepingles, you're supporting eco-forward, cutting-edge, thoughtful fashion! now let's listen to their playlist!

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dj: tomate depingles
playlist theme: songs that make us happy &
that we just cannot not dance to!

1. Blind - Hercules and the love affair
We fell in love with this band and the lead signger, Anthony. He has such a spectacular voice!

2. Rainbow Warriors - cocorosie
cocorosie is a very fun and fresh band that has an aesthtic we adore

3. Fashion - David Bowie
David Bowie is an inspiration to us everyday... He has always been a trendsetter and everything he touches is gold

4. Underpass - John Foxx
This song is the quintessence of alternative electro in the 80s... we just adore it!

5. Just Can't Get Enough - Depeche Mode
How can anyone not dance to that song? Depeche Mode is awesomeness

6. Holiday - Madonna
We've been fans of Madonna since the very first album. We used to dance to her vinyl records in our pjs as kids :o)

7. Self Loathing Rulz - Shout Out Out Out Out
SO4 is a young canadian electro pop band. They rock in concert, its a must see!

8. Mixed Bizness - Beck
Beck is another one of those artists we've been following since the beginning. He has edge and humour... how fabulous!

9. Canned Heat - Jamiroquai
Retro sounding but always fresh and new, Jamiroquai has got it all

10. J'aime la bourgeoisie - numéro#
This is from the first album of a couple of friends of ours who have a fabulous electro pop thing going on.

in their own words: "we love music, we love to sing along, even sometimes indulge in kareoke, we love to go see good shows, discover new music... But we also love to DANCE! Its the best way for us to disconnect with all the rest and just have fun!"

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hear hear! yay to dancing! lovin' this fun playlist! while you're checking out these great tunes, see what tomate depingles is offering one lucky rikrak studio reader....

..........................

the tomate depingles giveaway! one lucky reader will win

a faux heirloom vintage glass vial necklace

woohoo!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

here's how to enter the giveaway!

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

1. go visit the lovely tomatedepingles shop
... take a look around ... come back here and leave a comment in this post about your favourite fashion-statement goodie from their shop & why.= 1 entry

2. leave us a comment on YOUR FAVE song you just have to dance to!!
... = 1 entry

3. visit the tomatedepingles blog and leave them a comment on a post
... then come back here and tell us about it. = 1 entry.

4. tweet on twitter
about this giveaway and leave us a link to it in a separate comment here. please be sure to include @therikrakshop so i can find you! :) = 1 more possible entry.

5. blog about this giveaway and leave us a link to it in a separate comment here.= 1 more possible entry

6. follow or subscribe to the rikrak studio blog
and leave me a comment here telling us that you do! = 1 more possible entry.

7. :: PLEASE NOTE:
each entry must be it's own comment.. thanks! ::

..........................................

:: RULES ::
a) it is possible to have a maximum of 6 entries total per person.
b) please make sure to leave each entry as it's own comment. thanks!
c) using random.org, 1 winner of the tomate de pingles giveaway will be chosen on
tuesday november 10th @ 9pm EST.
d) please be sure to leave me an email where i can reach you if your account doesn't link to one. thanks.
................................................

happy dancin'!