New Location

     What a busy summer! So much moving, so many trips, so much going on!  I apologize for the lack of updates and will make up for it by bombarding this blog with much posting over the next 2 weeks in an attempt to catch up.  I have a long list of blog posts to make and I fully intend to get through each one! Starting with the new location.

     Since I left off back in November of last year I have moved many times but have now finally found a nice little corner to settle into for a while. Hook, Needle and Spindle has set up shop in a nice little apartment in Ottawa. It definitely doesn't provide the space for a luxurious sewing room like I had in Fort Frances, but instead offers a nice cozy setting in which I can enjoy my sewing (I sew in the main room/dinning room/living room).  I have to say, so far one of my favourite perks of this coziness is that I can easily tend to cooking while sewing; there's nothing like having (and smelling) a nice batch of soup simmering in the crock pot while working on a new quilt. Another wonderful perk has been that I can easily take a quick step out on the balcony for some fresh air and a tomato or two. Yes, I have set up a little potted garden out on my balcony (thanks to a friend's generosity) and it's great.

     The only disadvantage is that my stash is no longer easily accessible.  I've had to come up with very organized methods of storing my stash.  At the moment, my stash is split in two: half is being stored at a friend's place, and half is in my room.  As I work on more and more projects, I've been slowly bringing more boxes from my friend's place to my room and re-organizing to maximize space.  Boxes and bins are stacked pretty high, but are all clearly labeled to make it easy to find fabrics when I need them, and so far I've been needing lots.  Orders have begun to pick up and it's great to be able to find what I need, when I need it.  So as long as one is not claustrophobic, I'm happy to announce that it's completely possible to functionally cram a large stash of fabrics into a small room :).

     The kitties seem to equally enjoy the new digs. They can be found lazing about in random areas of the apartment. On occasion they've even joined me out on the balcony to enjoy the breeze.

     Here are a few pics of the new place:

Balcony

Kitty inspection

My stash in my room

Stash in my room

Other half of my fabric stash in storage at a friend's place

Temporary sewing set up

More temporary sewing set up (plus kitty)

     For more various pics, check out HN&S fb page here.

     I'm happy to finally have a functional table to work with. It needs some love; I plan on sanding it, staining it then sealing it, but that is a story for another blog post :). It can be a pain to keep taking out all my sewing stuff (ironing board, sewing machine, sewing bin, cutting board...) then putting it away again over and over, but being organized helps minimize the hassle and having a pretty laid back roommate helps too. 

     Long story short: the relocation took a long time but I'm now settling in quite nicely. It's a small space, but  that just makes things cozier and forces me to be a little more organized (which is a good thing). I'm very happy with my new place and I look forward to continuing this crafty adventure here in Ottawa.

Keeping Crafty in a different location,
Monica

Relocation

     After nearly a year, things seem to be settling down a bit.  I've found a cozy little place to "set up shop" and get crafty again in Ottawa. I'd like to extend my apologies for having disappeared for a few months.  As I tended to more pressing matters in my life, HN&S basically ground to a halt, but now that the dust is settling I've been back to crafting.
     Getting things going again will take a little time, but here is what I hope to accomplish over the next few months:

• HN&S' Etsy site back up and running by the end of the summer as well as the "Products" page of this site,
• Weekly Projects to resume by the start of the Fall season,
• Get the New Line project started up again, not sure how long that will take,
• Make posts more frequently and consistently.

     The last one will be tricky over the next couple weeks as I will be out of town, but by mid August I should be better with posting.

Zija and Gurr chillin on the couch in the new apartment.

Poor little kitties, relocation is always so difficult and tiring.

     Getting back to crafty,
     Monica

Update on the Relocation

     Despite having made it to Ottawa safe and sound, the relocation has been quite bluntly a mess.  The new local has proven to be much more of a challenge than anticipated and with the holiday season now upon us HN&S is far from prepared.  After much deliberation, it has been decided that for the time being, HN&S operations will be running at minimal capacity with the Etsy shop still online and the occasional posts on this blog and the facebook page (here).  Hopefully over the course of the next few months HN&S will be able to find a location and the circumstances within which to resume it's full operations.  For now, HN&S will be working hard at bouncing back from this jumble and getting back to sewing, designing and creating!

Keep Crafty Everyone! HN&S will be back soon!

Quick Update

      The past couple weeks have been pretty hectic but there is an end in sight.  The relocation is slowly coming together; packing is coming along, slowly but surely.  All my business operations seem to have ground to a halt, including the New Line and the Craft Sale.  Hopefully today I can dedicate most of my time to crafting and squeeze in just a little packing.  I've only got a few days left with my fantastic sewing room so I may as well get in as much quality time with it as possible!

Relocation

     One of the main reasons the New Line has taken a hit and been put on the back burner (aside from the demo jumble) is a new and exciting development: HN&S will be relocating to Ottawa next month!  Although it has not yet been determined if this relocation is of a permanent nature it will certainly open up more doors and opportunities for HN&S this holiday season and in the new year. This was a very abrupt happening so the planning and working out of details has taken up much of my time.  That coupled with the up coming craft sale has left little to no time for the New Line, though I would still like to have some of the New Line available to fans on the fan release date and for the craft sale; we'll have to see just how much I can fit into a day.

     HN&S will be staying in Fort Frances for the craft sale on November 5th but then leaving the next day for Ottawa.  Unfortunately this means there will be a small interruption in operations though hopefully it will be minimal and won't cause any inconveniences.  This interruption, if all goes according to plan, will be only for a few days during the travel time and while I set up.  I will have more details and exact dates as we approach the big day, so stay tuned and I'll keep you posted!