Hello from Ottawa!

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It’s been 2 weeks since we moved to Ottawa. We’ve unpacked most of our belongings although it’s still a long way from being organized to my liking but the important things are sorted out. 1) The kids are ready for school and 2) my workspace has been set up.

It’ll be interesting to see how I’ll work on production for my business while living in the same space but I’m sure it’ll be fine once the kids are back to their routine. Radley and I have implemented that headphones are mandatory here and we’re using the party rooms wherever we can. Slowly but surely we are finding our rhythm. Just the other day, I finally got the nerve to drive out of the garage! Tight spaces make me nervous plus the fact that it’s shared between the 2 other buildings means it’s super busy. It’s way too much pressure for me but I managed! Now, I just have to practice driving in and parking ☺️.

We’ve lived in a condo before but this garage is very intimidating! I’ll share more photos of our space soon but for now, here’s a glimpse of where I’m sitting typing away.

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I am slightly nervous for my plant babies.  Our unit doesn’t get as much light as they’re used to because of the building behind us but I’m hoping after we finish painting, we can put up some shelving. I’ve been playing musical chairs with them these past 2 weeks, bringing them out to the balcony during the day to make sure they see as much sun as possible. Wish me luck!

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Here’s my other table where I plan to put the press. I’ve been watching the sun move through our unit and it seems that white wall is the ideal spot for my plants. The first photo above (with my computer) gets just an hour or so of morning light then it moves to this side of the room.

As you can see, I’ve managed to squeeze in a bit of work too. This means the shop has been re-opened! I can’t wait to start printing and sewing again!

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I’ve listed a few of my logo bags for pre-order since I do get a few inquiries for this style. You can choose to have it made as a tote or a drawstring depending on your preference.

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The kids have named Lansdowne Park as the “green park”. It’s become one of their favourites so we went back one afternoon and after a few hours of biking, we headed to Boccato for a treat where I took these photos.

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Here’s a closer look at my favorite pins on my bag. Both describe me perfectly to a T 🙂

IMG_6034Bag Lady and Plant Lady is the New Cat Lady.

It me 🙂

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Of course, we’ve been to Byward Market as well. It was so hard to resist bringing home some of the beautiful plants for sale but we just have no room for any additional items right now. Oh, I forgot to mention another rule we’ve implemented that for every new item we bring in, we must get rid (donate or sell) 2 of the same. I didn’t quite think that one through being a yarn lover and all before agreeing to it but really, how would they know I added one or two more skeins to my stash?? 😝

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// Shop Cake & Knit & Weave & Wear Tote Bag //

// Shop Knitterati Enamel Pin //

 

Peace Out TDot

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Forever grateful, forever thankful 

It’s hard to believe all the bags made with my own two hands in this tiny corner of my home are being used by knitters across the globe.

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Just under 2 years ago, it was just an idea.

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Thank you so much for your continued support. It means the world to me and my family.

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The shop will be closed from today until September 1st as we pack up and move across the province.

I’ll be back with my new collection sometime next month. If you missed it, you can read all about it here and here.

Sign up to my newsletter to stay in touch!

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Peace out TDot! Adventure awaits!

#pearadiseisland

>> PS. My T-shirt is from Drake Cereal. Check her out. She’s awesome!

All the colors at Starlight

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The dreamy Starlight Knitting Society custom bags have been restocked with ALL the new colors!

Find the classic, sophisticate, flamingo, copper marine, mellow grellow along with natural/copper AND their custom sky blue/silver combos online and in-store!

Don’t you just love their logo? I really want one for myself and have asked Melissa how it works…. She has given me her blessing to make one for myself 🙂

Now, to pick…which one? I LOVE them all!!!

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Sold exclusively at www.starlightknittingsociety.com

New Collection – Part 2

I’m so excited to share with you the final 2 designs to join my new collection next month.

// COPPER MARINE //

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As you know, blue is my absolute favorite color and I just l-o-v-e this striking combination of navy linen and copper ink.
Say hello to copper marine!


// MELLOW GRELLOW //

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Introducing Mellow Grellow

This new grey linen fabric will replace the lighter version and is screen-printed with a custom mustard yellow ink.

 As always, the bags have a co-ordinating zippered pocket in the back to hold your notions! I’m so in love with these new color combos and I hope you like it as well! If you missed the first 3 colors, you can read all about it here!

// New collection launches September 2019 //

I’m aiming to have these in the shop mid-September.

Sign up to my newsletter to be the first to know when it goes live!

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Pearadise Island x House of a la Mode

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It’s here!!!

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I’m so excited to finally share with you something we’ve been keeping secret for months now… It’s a dream come true to be invited to collaborate with the uber-talented Heather of House of a la Mode!

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This limited edition kit comes with one hand-printed “KNIT” drawstring project bag in peach & aqua and two limited edition skeins of HOALM (colorway: “Oh My Stars”) on House Sock Fingering & House Mohair!

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We had so much fun putting these colors together and hope you love them too! The co-ordinating metal zipper pocket in the back is large enough to hold a notebook and other notions you need for knitting!

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Heather created not one, but two co-ordinating skeins of House Sock Fingering (4ply fingering; 75/25 Merino/Nylon) and House Mohair (1ply lace; 72/28 Kid Mohair/Silk) in the colorway “Oh my stars”.

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This Limited Edition Kit is sold exclusively at www.houseofalamodefibergoods.com while quantities last. Hurry and grab yours now!

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Knotty Lamb

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I would like to give a warm welcome to the Knotty Lamb – our newest stockist to join the family in Forest Grove, OR. The new collection of project bags – the Classic, Flamingo and Sophisticate are all available now in store and online.

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Karen, the owner, actually grew up in Orangeville, Ontario and comes back home from time to time for a visit. I hope we can have a knit night one day if ever an opportunity arises… Thank you so much, Karen, for supporting my small business!


I love all my stockists very much for believing in me and for investing in my products!
Never in my wildest dreams did I think this was possible. Each bag was made with the utmost love and care out of my own two hands and I am forever grateful for their support!

New collection – part 1

In just a few months, Pearadise Island turns 2!

I’ve been busy preparing some new combinations for the shop to celebrate my anniversary. Today, I’m sharing the first batch of my new collection.

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I’ve actually been sprinkling hints of what’s to come here and there on Instagram… did you catch it?

First and foremost, the biggest change is the fabric. I’ve used up most of the original bolts since I launched the store 2 years ago, and I’m beyond excited to work with a new supplier. The first of 5 to the new collection has only a subtle change. It is the original bag, and will always remain a classic combination of natural and black. The main difference? The color and feel. It is a lot lighter and smoother.

Think of it as an “upgrade”.

// THE CLASSIC //

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Here you can see the original natural linen fabric printed with my logo on the wall. The new and improved combination is on the table.

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And here they are, side by side. To the left is the old fabric and to the right is version 2.0

// THE FLAMINGO //

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Up next is a play on everyone’s favorite, pink. I wanted a brighter version of the original pink and white combo (as seen on the wall) and I’m pleased to offer this new shade of carnation pink linen. I had so much fun mixing ink for this one and excited to have a custom rose color for contrast.

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A closer look at the pink fabrics side by side. The blush pink + white is now discontinued.

// THE SOPHISTICATE //

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It’s always been a dream of mine to have a black and white version. This one has a slight twist to it in that the ink I used is a beautiful pearl white shade. At times it can look like silver, depending on the lighting. The fabric is a gorgeous blend of cotton and linen. I wanted to try something new and would really love your input! As much as I adore linen it is oh so very crinkly and requires heavy muscle to iron. This bag was a breeze to press thanks to the cotton.

I’m sure you know by now, but in case you’re new, all of my bags come with an outer zippered pocket to hold your notions!

I’m working on 2 more styles to join this collection as we speak! Newsletter subscribers are always first to know what’s new. Get the inside scoop by signing up here!

// NEW COLLECTION LAUNCHES SEPT 2019 //

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This new collection will be available on my website sometime this September. My anniversary is on Sept. 7th but with the pending move to Ottawa, I don’t want to set a date just yet. As long as you’re subscribed to my newsletter, you’re good!

You can also follow me on Instagram to stay in the loop!

I love seeing you with your bags!

Use #pearadiseisland and #pearadiseislandtotes so I can say hey!