It's live, it's LIVE!

The following is extracted from the What's New page on my NEW site, I can't wait for you all to check out the smokin' hot and fantastically improved DressMeUp.ca website!

Oooo, ooo, ooOOO! It's LIVE!

It’s been a couple of months in the making and now it’s finally ready …

I am SO excited to share my new website with you all! Matt of Oculus Design is my stellar designer who brought together function and form, and a whole lot more, to beautifully showcase my artisan soft toys while making your shopping experience quicker and easier.

I’m thankful too for two sharp photographers worked with me to bring the new product images to you – Devon of Tall Tree Photography and Aaron & Emmy of E/A Photography. And big shout outs to the Mamas & the Papas and the wee ones who squirmed and giggled and modeled for me too.

Enjoy checking out the new site, exploring my collection of hand made natural, organic toys – and let me know what you think!

very warmly (there’s a heat wave on this-here west coast),
Tressa

Oak Bay Night Market

For those of you in the Victoria Area, you'll be interested in knowing about Oak Bay Village's first Night Market - happening this Thursday evening, July 23rd. From 4-8pm, the store-front stretch of Oak Bay Avenue will be transformed into a European-style market featuring local Artisans, Musicians and Farmers.



Many of the local businesses are remaining open into the evening and offering tantalizing specials and events - estate olive oil tasting at Ottavios, fruit wine tasting at the Pennyfarthing, tea tasting at Nicholas Randalls, and more.

You'll find me at the corner of Wilmot & Oak Bay Ave, nestled between Nicholas Randall and Starbucks Coffee. I'm pleased to be offering 10% off all Dress Me Up Organic products for this premier evening market event!

A course of action; a method of proceeding

Through SouleMama, this morning I found a lovely and simple blog post on SewGreen that took me to the larger story here at the LA Times - the stories of the Children of the Great Depression and their life lessons.

"They learned the value of a wild imagination and honest neighbors."

It's been a doozy of a week - full of highs and lows and challenges (the good ones, as well as the kind that I just want to hide under a couch). This article reminded me to return to my authentic centre - the place where creativity transforms, moving me out and up. Today as I dive into stacks of emails, orders and production prep, I'm thinking about the creative, transforming power that the Great Depression necessitated, and I'm taking this quote with me:

"If you need it get it. If you don't need it - forget it." Thelma May Beets b.1918

Thanks, Thelma May. Today, I'm makin' tracks and filling my bags with grass. How about you?

A Little Star Struck

Now, perhaps you're going to laugh at me, but I was pretty happy when I spotted a wee birch bark basket full of my Teething Bonbons, tucked just behind Paige's left arm. See 'em?



This pic is from The Little Seed Blog. I visit their blog frequently - it's a lot of fun and it's really down to earth. The Little Seed just launched their private label - a bright and beautiful line of organic clothing and accessories. This picture is from their party night (Weleda sponsored the event - I super HEART Weleda, especially their Wild Rose line.) I wish I was there!

A Piper is Down! A Piper is Down!*

Well, not really a piper but rather - my website. There's been a bit of a glitch and it's not loading ... but do not fear, it will be back.

* Get the movie reference? Comments with the correct answer get a super-dupes Dress Me Up Pencil made from recycled newspaper! (I just need your mailing address - you can email it to me if you don't want to leave your deets here).

A Little Pride

Tonight I feel that my eyes are melting. All day I reminded myself to stretch and blink while sitting at the sewing machines - I got the stretching down, my back actually feels pretty good, but my eyes, ahhhhhh my eyes! Nothing that a good shut-eye won't fix. Too bad that will have to wait 'till Monday. ;)

I wanted to have some pics for this post showing off some of the new lovelies that I'll have at the Organic Islands Festival, but it's been all work and little play, so you'll just have to come see my new stuff in person ... stuff like, my Organic Sun Bonnet! I've been working on a pattern for a season or two now, and I've finally settled on something that I like (for now!). My dear friend Lynda has been helping sew these bonny beauties in time for the Festival - they are all natural, organic cotton with my screen printing on the brim and bonnet backs. Very awesome. And reversible. And fairly gender-neutral ... as far as bonnets go.

I truly hope to see you at the Organic Islands Festival this weekend! Taking a little break from Ms. Pfaff, I just tallied up the Value of my Newborn Gift Basket - $285!! That's a great prize to be won, and I have a fun little eco-give away (while supplies last), so even in these penny pinching times you'll have something with love from me to take away.

And hey, Happy Pride Week too!


Montreal Pride in 2003, Photo by moi.