Shop Look + Learn

Collage Collage is a store and workshop. Come visit us for a special gift, a drop in class or a limited edition colouring poster. 621 Kingsway Vancouver BC

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Everyone's a Winner

Best Big Sister? Best Room Tidy-Uper? Best Kid EVER? I'm sure you know some contenders.

The following is a Do-It-Together Craft that involves a little bit of sewing (or you can consider a paper version instead of with felt!). After wards, you'll have an adaptable award to give over and over again to the kids that mean the most to you.


You'll need;
2 pieces of 8 x 11 craft or wool felt
some ribbon (long enough to wear!)
glue
scissors
heavy card or construction paper
something to draw + colour with
a sewing machine or needle and thread

First, use a template (like a roll of masking tape)
to trace out a felt circle. You'll need two whole circles and one half circle

Next, cut out the letters to the winner's name and sew or glue it to the half circle.


Now you're going to stack one whole circle, the ends of the ribbon, and the second whole circle.

Line up all the edges, and then add the half circle on top with the winners name.

Sew all along the edges, twice even if you'd like! Make sure the winner's name has the ribbons above it so that the medal sits up in the right direction.

Once you've sewn it all together, you might want to add a maple leaf, a star or something like it to the back of your medal.



Now, use your template to make a slightly smaller circle and cut it out of heavy card or construction paper.

Slip it into the pocket you've made on the front, and add whatever winning titles you'd like!
Turn the paper circle and add as many winning titles as you like. You can even make extra circles so that you can win all sorts of awards.



Last but not least, get up on your podium and receive your medals. You've earned it!

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Enzo Mari


I love books. So much I had to open a shop to showcase the ones I love the most. I'm so thrilled to carry the Corraini titles; Bruno Munari and Enzo Mari's works continue to inspire me in the things I find, make and teach in the shop.

Here's a closer look at Mari's book, L'Altalena or See-Saw. A beautiful treasure for any age.




Sunday, February 14, 2010

The Wonderful Thing about Tigers



Happy Chinese New Year to all of you!



I'm totally ready for the Year of the Ox to end, and welcome the Tiger year. From what I've read it's an intense, distinctive and fast paced kind of time, that calls on all of us to adapt to change a little more quickly than we're used to. It's a year to be active and alert and seize opportunities. Sounds go to me.

Go get em, Tigers.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Canned Goods



Collage Collage is thrilled to be carrying "Eye Can Art" kits from Seattle.

I've got 4 different styles to choose from, from printmaking to bookmaking, you'll find something to take home and make something great.

Best of all, they're made by my cousin Bridget. Her and counterparts started making these kits as the One-Stop-Creative-Come-Back to, "I’m bored." Please check out their site for more info right here.

Stop by soon!

Saturday, February 6, 2010


I heart Collage Collage.

so, we made some awesome Valentine's today at the shop!

Come by NEXT SATURDAY from 1-2pm and you can make one too,
and for an extra $10 my favorite professional photographer, Lauren will take your
photo with your Valentine, so you can send a beautiful hi res image out to all your loved ones
IN TIME for Valentines Day the very next day.

Come on over, it'll be good.

XOXOXO

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Colouring Posters

Have I told you about our colouring posters?

It's a project I thought up as a way to let kids and adults interact with different artists' works. Everyone who shows at Collage Collage is asked to create a colouring poster. It's been pretty fun to see what people do with them, especially now that we've got three to choose from.



This one is by Tania McCormack, who's show is up until the end of the month


Julie Morstad created the first one, shown here...





I thought I'd share the first three here with you, so that you might be inspired to come on down and colour one in one afternoon. Artists thus far were Tania McCormack, Lisa Cinar and Julie Morstad. Stay tuned for a new one from T&T.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Reading Corner


Yes! We have magazines.

And not just any magazines. The newest issue of Hunter and Cook has just arrived, as well as Uppercase from Calgary. Both wonderful, beautiful, Canadian publications for you to enjoy.

And speaking of the fine fellas at Hunter and Cook; I'm thrilled to tell you that Collage Collage helped produce a colouring poster for the upcoming T&T show at Pendulum Gallery.

T&T's False Creek opens February 5th and runs through to March 3rd.
Pendulum Gallery 885 W Georgia Street

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

all fun, no games.

I've been getting the question a lot lately.."What will you do during the Games?"

I'm happy to report, that I'll be doing nothing.

Well, not nothing at all really. Collage Collage will be OPEN, for regular hours and regular classes all the way through this most unusual time in the city. So don't worry. Put on your rubber boots and walk over. We'll read some stories and make some stuff. Here's what the 6-8 year olds have been working on lately.




We looked at Bruno Munari's work, and his amazing exercise of slicing up one piece of paper to make a whole tree. From his book "drawing a tree". You can get a copy here at the shop to try it out yourself. Or just come by and I'll let you take a look at my copy.