Make It!

Did more local Christmas shopping at Make It! last weekend. Here is the story of my loot.

There were a variety of vendors, some of them more grandma/fleece and others more indie chic. There was a DJ and hotdogs so those were notable advantages to other craft shows! I know hot dogs are supposed to be horrible for you, but when I'm at the IKEA and they have that $2 combo or whatever it is... or in the summer... I won't say no to a cheese dog.

Above is the necklace I got from Nicole Salvalaggio. She has this gorgeous tree display where all her beautiful, shiny wares are on display. It's too bad Raffaella didn't get more pictures of the jewelry tree, but Miss Nicole was sort of taken aback and concerned about the reasons why the beast (Raffaella's camera) was out in the first place. She was weary that we were photographing her stuff because we could potentially be ripping off her ideas. I tried to assure her that Raffaella just enjoys photographing things that are beautiful. Regardless, the moment was sort of ruined. Still, I bought some of her stuff because it's great.




I got this Joan-like dress (a la Madmen) from Cinder+Smoke. It looks floppy on the hanger, but fantastic on an actual person.






I realized the other day that I haven't gotten Dexter any Christmas gifts. Oops? I mean, I already gave him life this year. And the prolific supply of mom's grade A milk is certainly an ongoing gift? Believe me, this is difficult to keep up when I'm working much of the time and he's staying overnight at my mom's. The breast pump and I are old friends by now.

But, I saw these cute reconstructed sock toys (made from NEW socks) from Belua Designs. I believe this girl is also at the outdoor farmer's market in the summer, and I always held off from buying one of her toys because I figured I'd spend money on this sort of thing when Dexter is old enough to choose one that he wants. Is it just me or does the thought of having hundreds of stuffed animals sort of gross you out? Maybe it's just me.

Anyway, I figured it was okay to get him a small one. I've got a soft spot for cyclopses. And this one has a little heart! Adorable.




Don bought nougat, paper folding blockheads, a gorgeous calendar by selected print artists, and I think a present for me. Oh, Edmonton's Only Here for the Food blogged about Make It! as well. Looks like she browsed many of the same stalls I did.

I've seen lots of nice looking Christmas lists on other blogs and have held off on providing mine here. But no longer. And even though these aren't all things made and distributed locally like the stuff I got at the Make It! show, I'm not going to lie that they are things I covet.

1. Keytar and amplifier. I'm not going to get one unless it's going to be loud enough for me to jam.

2. Books. I always love books. My friend Richard usually gets me a few of his favourites from that year and I always look forward to them. Last year it was Cormac McCarthy's The Road. Talk about "Merry Christmas" from Richard.

3. Mixed CDs. I love getting collections of other people's music. It makes me feel really close to them to listen to the same things they're listening to. Little known fact that Don basically leaves the room every time I play anything Lady GaGa. Sometimes he is too erudite to have fun. Bah!

4. Things that are shiny. Interpret as you see fit.

5. Anything home made.

6. World Peace. 'Xander from 416 put world peace on his list and I like it.

7. Gift certificates. iTunes. Dress Shoppes. Eateries.