The Garrison Studio opened on Saturday in the downtown historic district of Fredericton. Seven studio shops opened sponsored by the city's tourism department. There are artists in residence on site and local artisans showcase their work. The first day saw lots of people out despite the very cool, damp weather.

The shops were originally storage for ammunition and so are solid brick and mortar with one tiny window and the large wood doors are wide open to the open walkway. Unheated it was quite chilly until our portable heater arrived! That took some of the chill off. The shops are open for four months opening early this season for the Congress 2011 of Humanities and Social Sciences  "Coasts and Continents: Exploring People and Places"  taking place this week in our city. People from all over the world are attending.

With seven or eight artisans in each shop it means we work only one day a week which is ideal to not impact a regular work schedule. I enjoy meeting the many viistors to our pretty little city and to have fun creating! Aprons are one of my favorite items to design and sew. I made a half apron from the remaining birdie fabric.

I will post pictures of the shop once we are totally finished with the decorative touches. I have been making bright felt flower garlands to wrap around the exposed pipes. So far I have gone through fifty feet of garden wire! Follow the Joy, Create! Debra, CEO!

Spring Cleaning the wardrobe and Fabric Stash! Wow great finds, some pink check, birdie fabric and the results some very cute aprons!

Setting up an artisan shop for the summer in the historic Garrison District of the city. We open for the season Saturday, seven artists and craftsmen in each shop sponsored by the city's tourism department. We have a talented and fabulous group in our Garrison Studio shop, potters, jewelry smith, wood artist and textiles! Follow the Joy! Debra, CEO!

Spring Cleaning my wardrobe I have come across several pieces I really like but for a variety of reasons they don't work anymore. So time to restyle them into something else! My fabric stash also needs to be "down-sized". Since I am in the mood to design aprons these days, the wardrobe and fabric finds will be perfect to sew up into flirty fun aprons .

I came across a polka dot dress which I was wearing the hot summer day my daughter's car stalled in the middle of the busiest intersection at the height of supper hour traffic! Two nice guys pushed the car onto the sidewalk and we ended up riding in the tow truck to the repair service. A gust of wind caught the skirt as I got out of the truck and just as the guys came out of the shop! One remarked "wow, a Marilyn Monroe moment". I haven't worn the dress since! I am thinking an apron is a much safer future for the dress!

I used the "too" full skirt from the dress to make the main apron adding a bodice and ties. The skirt just called for a heart shaped pocket. Fabric roses were added to the pocket and bodice to give it an even more feminine feel. I love how it turned out and this skirt can catch any wind it wants! I will be sharing more aprons plus a tutorial of the apron I am creating from a full eyelet skirt. What was I thinking when I bought that! Follow the JoY! Debra, CEO!

Although I was unable to attend one of my favorite trade shows Spring Quilt Market, held in Salt Lake City this year, some of my designs were there. I love to work in felt and have created several designs for National Nonwoven. Their Xotic line of bamboo felt is so soft to work with. They posted pictures of their booth on Facebook, the photo below shows the table runner and pillow I designed.

The show is an amazing array of vibrant colorful quilting and sewing fabrics, patterns and all the accessories! To see some great photos from the show visit Brenda Pinnick's blog. Happy Creating! Debra

May Flowers! April showers bring May flowers, here it seems to be May showers bring the flowers, plus everything a vibrant, luscious combination of pinks, yellows, purples and greens!

Craftywise flowers are everywhere, created from fabrics, zippers, distressed papers, felt, leather embellished with buttons and beads. They can be created quickly then added to a bag, a neckline, belt, headband or any fashion piece to create a fresh look for spring. This easy wreath has roses made from circles of wool felt cut into spirals, rolled and glued. I cut the circles with scalloped scissors. Follow the JOY! Debra, CEO!

It is Fowl Friday with Fran & Freda! Freda is actually nowhere to be found. It is Friday the 13th and Freda is very superstitious! Well that is probably putting it mildly as she is presently sitting in a nest of rabbits feet, horseshoes and four leaf clovers. We spent most of yesterday running from lawn to lawn looking for clovers. With spring late here that was a challenge. (While she wasn't looking a little creative clover crafting happened, a glue stick always comes in handy!)

So for the rest of the day I will carry food into the closet where Freda is staying until midnight tonight. Meanwhile I am going to be out enjoying the sunshine on the deck! Debra got these very comfy cool hot pink and lime chairs so with a lemonade, snacks and a good book there I will be enjoying Friday the 13th! Follow the Fowl, Fran & Freda!  

Been a busy week, out for meetings on creative things but no time to actually create. Ready to dive in to all the new products that are arriving. They will have to wait a couple days. Another meeting today and reports to do!

The city of Fredericton has such a lovely historic downtown area where the past comes alive each summer with the Changing of the Guard, the Calithumpians in period costume giving tours of the Garrison district along with re-enactments of different historic events.

Part of the old Barracks has been converted into Artisan shops for the summer by the city. I am excited to be part of one of the shops this summer along with seven other local artisans, potters, jewellers, artists, needlework, textiles, photographers, woodworkers all comprise the ten shops. We share working and only work one day a week at most so it is an easy venture.

People from all over the world visit here so as an "official Fredericton Ambassador" I will get to promote this beautiful city.  Life is full of possibilities and adventure this summer here and away! Follow the Joy always! Debra, CEO!

Putting plans together for the Summer CHA Conference and Tradeshow. CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) This past year the Canadian Craft and Hobby Association has now joined CHA. At the summer show several talented Canadian designers will be participating in a Summer Look and Learn Event. 

We will create a design with products donated by four companies. This project with instructions will be available to retailers to use in their stores. They will get to preview the project at the "Be Inspired" event and take home a kit to recreate the project to teach and promote at their store.

The participating companies are DecoArts, Tsukineko, Canvas Corp and Harmonie. Product is arriving and now the tough decision as to what to combine in the project. It will be fun "playing " with everything as I decide! Debra, CEO!

Mother's Day, my second one without my Mom and my first without my darling daughters living at home. In between life has been full of change. We never know what life may bring but what we do know for sure love is constant.

Our Moms bring us into this life and nurture us. We continue the journey learning and loving along the way. My beloved daughters are born of my heart and two wonderful young women made it possible for them to become the loves of my life. I have always believed that life is simply a love story for where would we be without love.

In my world I have many amazing women and as I watch their journeys as mothers and daughters I am humbled by their brilliance, their generosity of spirit as they manage their lives with the deepest of love.

May this weekend be one of expressions of love, of proofs of love where you speak, give, share from your heart. Happy Mother's Day! Debra, CEO!

It is the first Monday of the Month and the Designer Crafts Connection is a hopping! The theme for this month is Mother's Day. One of our members is in the hospital and this month's project is dedicated to two designers Lisa Rojas and Veronica (Ronnie) Goff. They are always smiling, talented women with a big hearts, mothers, friends and two of the most wonderful warm people you will ever meet! Here's to you lovely ladies and to your speedy recovery!

My project for Mother's Day was inspired by a giftbox I received for Easter. I created a "Love Bug" gift jar for Mom which could be filled with any of "Mom's" special treats from candies to love notes.

I used one of my very favorite techniques needle felting with Wool Wisps from National Nonwovens and STYROFOAM brand foam to create the bug head.

Recycling a jar and left over pieces of scrapbook papers to decorate it with.

Ribbons, buttons, ricrac and flowers complete the "Love Bug!" Sending lots of love your way Lisa and Ronnie! Don't forget to check out the forty plus talented designers in the connection, just click on the button in the right sidebar! Happy Hopping!  Debra, CEO!