W.E.S.T. March Design Challenge: Spring!

Are you tired of winter? Longing for warmer weather to melt the snow? You're not alone! This month's design challenge is on the theme of Spring!
 

Jersey infinity scarf by Hoshiidesigns

Do you dream of being outside in your garden or on your bicycle? Do you think of pretty pastel colours? Bold and bright? Soft wedding whites? 

Meadow Green Pocket Purse Bees and Daisies Original Needlefelt Design by CloverleafFibreArt

Whatever you think of when you think of spring, use those ideas as inspiration to create something for this new WEST design challenge. The deadline for submissions for this design challenge is April 13.

 And if you need a little more inspiration, check out the Pantone fashion color report for Spring 2012.

Here's a quick review of how to play along: 
Think about the inspiration topic posted on the blog and in the team forum. As you mull over what that particular idea means to you, jot down some notes in the discussion thread or leave a comment on the blog. Take pictures of your process and finished item and post them in the forum thread. We would love to hear the story behind how you arrived at your finished creation! I will post a round up of all entries at the end of the challenge. 

A few notes: 
Create something new, especially for the challenge. Entries for each challenge must be finished by the posted deadline. Vintage and supply sellers are welcome to participate too, with a focus on artful photography and careful choice of item. 

Happy designing! 

WEST Team Meeting

We held our latest team meeting at Joe Black Coffee Bar across from The Park on Portage Avenue.
As they had done in the past, the lovely folks there reserved an area for us so we had lots of space to gather and chat!

What we are planning is not quite ready for show and tell yet... but we sure had a blast brainstorming ideas and sharing inspiration!

The group was so excited about our idea!

I hope to see even more Westies out for the next meeting in March!

haha taking self portraits can be so silly!
Ruth - team captain

WEST is Lean and Strong!

WEST has been working hard to become a vibrant and active team. We've fleshed out our team requirements, discussed much and communicated to our membership! We are now holding regular team meetings, planning events and actively engaging with each other on the team forum.

Our team is now lean and strong. Ready for all the exciting opportunities that 2012 will bring.

Want to easily shop on Etsy for these great made and found in Manitoba items? Search winnipegteam and check out the awesome handmade, vintage and supplies that is WEST!

Family Day

Just created a WEST Treasury today for your viewing and shopping ideas.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTAzMDI4Njd8MjE3MDM3NDAwMg/men-women-children-all-of-the-above

W.E.S.T. January Design Challenge Results

The W.E.S.T. January Design Challenge was "The Colour of Love." Members were invited to create something inspired by thoughts of love (positive or negative!). I think we set a record with this challenge, as we have EIGHT entries!

The first entry was from Katie of Hearthfelt Yarn Wreaths:

This pink yarn wreath is perfect for Spring, and will add some romance to your Valentine's Day decor. Soft pink yarn provides a subtle base for delicately formed felt flowers and buds. A subtle way to celebrate your love on Valentine's Day, this wreath is perfect for Spring, too!

Next was this entry from Tawny of Tawny Bee:

Tawny reminds us that all those single socks out there need love too, and this Lost Socks Keeper provides a special place for them to wait for their soul mate. This heart patterned Lost Sock Keeper is on the job until cupid shines down upon your laundry room and blesses your single socks with their perfect match!

Susana from Lemon Dear submitted this entry:

This anatomic heart is a one of a kind embroidery hoop art made by hand in a gorgeous rainbow-like chevron cotton fabric and stretched in a wooden hoop. The message of this piece is that love has no colour, therefore, the colour of love are all colours together.

The next entry was from Evelyne of Evecouture:

This is an Epipen Carrying case made of vintage upcycled pink velvet. If your kids have to wear an Epipen why not make it cute and comfortable!

Jynxx provided this entry for the challenge:

Here is a wonderful, one-of-a-kind, vintage style Valentine's Day charm bracelet that I call " KEY TO MY HEART." It is one-of-a-kind, with a variety of pewter heart, lock and key charms and beads! This bracelet would be the perfect Valentine's gift, or to keep for yourself!! 

Ruth from Periwinkle Dzyns submitted a matching set:

Ruth notes that the colour of love can also be cold, so she chose to represent it with a heart made of brass hardware in a rigid chain maille style, with this Nerdy Geek Chainmaille Brass Nut Repurposed Necklace Heart and matching Nerdy Geek Chainmaille Brass Nut Repurposed Earrings.

Here is Wendy's entry from The Silver Agenda:

Wendy notes that she's a wee bit obsessed with arrows right now and wanted to add more bracelets to her shop. This Sterling Silver Arrow and Heart January Birthstone Garnet Wire Wrapped Metalwork Bracelet includes a hand forged sterling silver arrow running through a fine silver fused heart. Wire wrapped genuine garnet beads are set between sterling silver diamond cut links. A handmade hook clasp finishes the piece. 

And the last entry was from Laura of Prairie Threads:

Laura notes that there was a time when one of her daughters loved "pink and more pink," and she was thinking of her as she made this Gypsy Pink Round Coiled Bowl from all her pink fabric scraps.

Now don't we have some awesome talent in Winnipeg? Thank you to all the participants in this month's challenge!

We'd love to hear from you--what do you think of when you think of "the colour of love?"

Stay tuned for the next challenge to be announced soon!

WESTies Go Thrifting!

We made out like bandits!
Today I went thrifting with 2 gals from WEST (Etsy team).
Louise (left) and Deb and I had a blast! Check out their haul. Louise found housewares and display items and Deb found fabric, fabric, fabric!

We laughed at oldies we found at the MCC thrift store on Sargent.

Admired many wonderful vintage finds at Ruby Slipper on Sargent. found more goodies at Value Village on Ellice and the furniture thrift on Keewatin and had time to pop into Gale's Wholesale on route 90!

Here's my haul! For under $20 I found a vintage sewing basket, lots of notions and buttons, clip on earrings and lots of other odds and ends including 2 more pieces for my pyrex collection.

I had so much fun! Thrifting with like minded gals was such a blast! Join me next time!

This post was originally posted on February 4,2012 by WEST's team captain at PeriwinkleDzyns