Apr 25
Dispatch from London: More Museum of Childhood
Posted in: Uncategorized
Some characters I encountered at the V & A Museum of Childhood.
You know what would be an awesome project? New tin toys illustrated by contemporary illustrators…
Apr 24
type tuesday: Museum of Childhood
Posted in: Uncategorized
When I return to London (for now that I’ve been once, I’ll have to go back again and again) with Finley and Glen, we’ll go to the V & A Museum of Childhood together. This free museum had excellent displays of traditional and historical childhood toys, but also areas for play and a nice place to have a lunch as a family.
This spelling cabinet from 1790 caught my eye. What an amazing specimen!
If it has letters on it, I’m automatically drawn to it.
This 1890s Victorian party programme outlined the activities for a wealthy child’s party.
Some more modern-day items. (It’s funny to see the Fisher Price village as “museum quality” — the one I played with some 30+ years ago is now Finley’s.)
The boy mannequins look unhappy and worried about getting their clothes dirty. If anyone knows where you can get these Left and Right alphabet shoes today, I think Finley and I would both be happy.
Apr 24
Dispatch from London: Ray Stitch (part 2)
Posted in: Uncategorized
I’m home in Calgary again and trying to take it easy since I really pushed myself on this trip and caught a cold at the end of it. Our home’s internet, TV and phones were out for the past day so that was actually quite useful in contributing to some down time.
As promised, here are some of the fine folks who attended the Ray Stitch meet and greet.
From top to bottom: Ray Stitch is Rachel Hart’s wonderful shop. That’s her behind the counter in the teal sweater. / Excellent food for the event. / Lots of people came to say hi! I’m sorry, in my fog I have forgotten some names. Here’s Janet Clare with her book, Freya & Fred. / Alex and Pui-Yee browse the latest issues. / That’s Francisca Prieto (profiled in issue #12) and me. We look related, I think! / More details of the event and fine folks who supported it by braving traffic and weather.
Apr 20
Dispatch from London: Ray Stitch (part 1)
Posted in: Uncategorized
Ray Stitch is a very attractive shop. Here are some exterior photos before the Meet & Greet event, after (another) rain shower. Fitting, though, for issue #13 which is about how weather affects/inspires creativity.
More about the event and people pictures to follow in the next while. Thank you to everyone who came out and to Rachel and Michelle for their efforts, this great venue to meet my readers and for the all-round support of UPPERCASE. Thank you to Sam for the tasty food.
Apr 19
UPPERCASE meet and greet tonight in London’s Ray Stitch
Posted in: Uncategorized
Please join me at Ray Stitch, tonight (Friday) at 7pm. Click here for directions. (If you want to purchase a copy of the latest issue (#13), Ray Stitch has the only copies in London.) It’s an evening of craft and conversation surrounded by the inspiring haberdashery and fabric selection offered by Ray Stitch. We’ll be stringing together colourful bead necklaces, an activity that was such a hit at the Alt Summit. It’s a free activity, easy and fun to do while noshing and sipping and talking.
See you!
If you’re not in London we have a consolation discount code: meetandgreet for $5 off your order until end of day Saturday.
Apr 19
Emily Chalmers: Caravan, Flea Market Style, Modern Vintage Style… Chances are, you love Emily’s styling aesthetic as much as I do. Emily generously wrote the introduction to Tif Fussell‘s Dottie Angel book and though she and Tif were acquainted, I had not yet had the pleasure of meeting Emily in person. We arranged to meet for the Thursday vintage market at Old Spitalfields Market. Emily has a 4-month old (beautiful!) daughter who napped in her white pram while we strolled the booths.
Emily’s old and new, mix and match style makes for homey and eclectic rooms—as well as a unique personal clothing style. I always admire people who can wear vintage pieces, but it never seems to suit me. I loved the textures and contrasts of her outfit.
The child’s rolltop desk was something we both instantly were drawn to. Emily’s daughter will get use this as she grows older and arrangements were made to bring it home.
The pile of letters spelled “coiffeur” and were only sold as a set (not to us, sadly.)
I could easily start a collection of antique ink bottles, but I resist the urge!
Me in my yellow jacket besides some typewriters. I have seen a lot of Londoners in the past week and I have not seen a single soul wearing a yellow slicker.
I would have purchased the tin sign “World’s Greatest Weekly for Women” if it would have fit in my luggage.
Apr 19
Dispatch from London: Alternative Fashion Week
Posted in: Uncategorized
This morning I had the unique opportunity to meet Emily Chalmers (more on this visit later!) at Spitalfields Market. After Emily went home, I wandered into the end of a fashion show as part of Alternative Fashion Week. The models started to filter out backstage and outside and there were lots of men with big cameras taking photos. Since I was armed with my big lens, I decided to blend in with the journalists/paparazzi.
All the other photographers seemed to be men in neutral colours and there I was in my bright yellow rain slicker and patterned Orla Kiely bag, but no one paid me much attention.
I figured I could always pull out my magazine credentials!
Apr 19
Dispatch from London: Rainy Day
Posted in: Uncategorized
The colours this afternoon in London were decidedly grey punctuated by soggy reds. I had an afternoon of being in tourist mode and took a double decker bus around to see the sights and stay out of the rain.
The view from the top window seat was really great!
Apr 18
Dispatch from London: Paperchase
Posted in: Uncategorized
The Paperchase flagship store on Tottenham Court.
Here I am holding one of a few issues left in stock—I actually had to use some of my samples for the photo. Thanks, London, for gobbling up each issue—I will endeavour to get more available.
Issue #9 is still one of my favourites… and issue #10… and issue #….
This multi-level store has everything from art supplies, cards, stationery to books and mags, furniture, haberdashery. I was there for an hour and a half browsing. 
A nice display area for the books. Hopefully someday soon you will be able to find UPPERCASE titles here as well.
A nice chair that I took a photo of and then forgot to go sit and relax on it. Typical.
Gorgeous papers for crafting, bookbinding and wrapping.
One of three typewriters I spotted on display.
Look! Actual Letraset available to purchase, brand new. We don’t have this in any Calgary stores as far as I know. Wouldn’t a sheet of Letraset be an amazing insert inside the magazine? hmmm… I’m going to investigate that!
A nice cafe to refresh after some heavy-duty Paperchase shopping.
Apr 18
Dispatch from London: Anne Smith
Posted in: Issue 12
This morning I took the tube to Anne Smith‘s studio on the South side of the Thames. Anne did the perfect pigeon illustration on the cover of issue #12, so I couldn’t come all this way and not meet her!
We had some tea and a nice chat about books, the realms of online and offline community, the creative drive and inspiration… so nice. Her studio had lots of books—I saw many that are common to my shelves at home. With nice light diffusing in from windows on two sides, it was a really fresh and inspiring studio.
See a few more images in the flickr set. Thanks, Anne!
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