Pretty papers

 

I love things that feel real to me: glass, linen, wood, stone - and paper. I grew up in a home that always had beautiful embossed stationery, and have always adored the feel and smell of gorgeous paper. So Deborah Norton is a true kindred spirit. 

Norton had been making cards for family and friends for years before she turned her attention to it full-time four years ago, launching The Paper Parade. 

A self-taught artist, Norton says she thinks creativity is in her DNA. “My family is all very artisitic. We were always exposed to the arts, and both my parents are gifted amateur artists. My brother is a professional photographer. So I come by it honestly.” 

Vintage paper, in the form of illustrations, cards, maps and art, have always fascinated Norton, and it’s this love that fuels her work, which includes lovely, hand-printed cards and tags. Until recently, it was all available on her Etsy shop, but a full-on renovation has shuttered the shop temporarily. “My studio is in the house, and we’ve had to move out. I’m still doing custom orders, and I’ve started doing some styling. I also have my lifestyle blog. So one thing seems to keep turning into another. We’ll see what happens next.”

While you may not be able to access Norton’s work, shown here, she has a few  other fave paper places she thinks you’ll want to check out. They are Kozo Studios Tanya Roberts and Pantry Press

 

I'm a big fan of the Dyson Fan

 

The temperate air of Spring can turn oppressively hot and soggy before you know it, as it has recently here in the Centre of the Universe (aka Toronto). Shop now for a fan, while stock is good. The Dyson Air Multiplier is super-cool (in several senses). There are no spinning blades to chop the air ineffectively — or, very effectively, small fingers — and it’s designed to draw in up to 27 litres of air a second, amplify it up to 18 times, and spread it soothingly across your hot, sweat-slick, grumpy self. It comes in two shapes, a round version - great for tabletop and, for larger spaces, an oblong version, shown above with My Close Personal Friend James Dyson (well, not really, but I have met Sir James, who is a delightful cross between your cool uncle and a mad genius.)  Both versions are  gorgeous. Last summer, these babies flew off the shelves and were sold out in no time. Govern yourself accordingly. Prices for the line, available at major retailers, start at about $380. Pricey? Yes. But so worth it if you get years and years of summer cooling out of it.

Think thrifty - not throwaway

You know that odd collection of mis-matched  pots out on the patio? The ones that you find a bit messy  but don't have the  heart to throw out? You say to youself, "waste not, want not". To which we reply, "Amen, sister!"  Here's a nifty idea - unify that muddled collection - or bring a little shine to old-school terra cotta (our fave), with Lee Valley’s copper trays. Prices range from $6.70 to $21.

 

Get your craft on

April, May and June are all about rebirth. So why not give new life to a tired piece of furniture? Andrea Ford of Restyle Studio offers DIY workshops on re-upholstering everything from ottomans to chairs to headboards. Andrea was one of the first designer/stylists in the city to tap into the growing appetitie for DIY decor, but she's not the only. The newest entrant is Renee Elliot of Eat.Live.Shop blogging fame, who's launched ReCreative, a store-front operation that offers crafty courses of all sorts.

 

Keeping it clean in the backyard

Got a space-challenged backyard, or an over abundance of garden and sport gear that's spilling out of the garage and back hall? Rubbermaid has a new shed that offers loads and room, and makes it easy to get at, so you can avoid pronging yourself in the face with the rake just to get to the lawn chairs. The Slide Lid Shed has a sliding roof that makes it easy to get at seasonal paraphernalia, and a profile low enough to sit below the sightlines of a six-foot fence, so it won't impair the neighbours' view. The paintable exterior mimics lap siding. About $500 at Home Hardware

 

Now you're cooking with coffee

Long known for its coffee, Van Houtte has just appointed several gastro-types as brand ambassadors. In Ontario, the nod went to award-winning author and food critic James Chatto. Chatto is a National Culinary Advisor and Head Judge for Gold Medal Plates, and for a number of Canadian, American and British publications. We especially like that his fourth book, The Chef’s Table, co-written with the amazing Lucy Waverman and Tony Aspler, was a fundraiser for Second Harvest.

Over the next year, the ambassadors, who include Alberta’s Kelly Doody, renowned chocolatier and pastry chef Wendy Boys (B.C.) and in Quebec, Marc-André Royal, chef and owner of Le St-Urbain restaurant and bakery/catering service La Bête à pain, will attend branding events and contribute to the company’s Facebook page and C! The Coffee Blog, found on its site.

For a fun few minutes, go to Van Houte   to take a quick quiz to determine your coffee “profile”. You’ll also find great recipes, including tips on how to use coffee in cooking  (oh yes, you can).

Although I’m not in the same league as these folks, I have a few little tips. Here they are:

For cool summer drink, brew an extra pot of coffee in the morning. Add some sugar (or a bit of maple syrup) and place in a closed container in the fridge. (I like glass because it doesn’t take on the smell/colour of the coffee). Later in the day, add some cold milk (and/or a shot of Bailey’s Irish Cream). Pour over lots of ice in tall glasses.

Add a teaspoon of instant coffee granules to your chocolate chip recipe. Divine.

Substitute some of the liquid in your cake recipe for strong, cooled coffee. Works especially well on chocolate cakes.

Add a tablespoon of instant coffee granules to your home-made Dulce de Leche recipe. You’ll find easy (so easy!) instructions in this recipe from Kraft for cheesecake

Use it as a spread between thin cookies, or as filling for a layer cake.

Speaking of cheesecake, did you know that Anna Olson  is working with Kraft and Philadelphia cream cheese on a contest in which you might win  a trip to your grandmother’s hometown to learn old family recipes? Or a week in Paris?  All you have to do is create a great recipe using Philly. Here’s my idea: Make the recipe in the link above, adding instant coffee to the Dulche and substituting some ground hazelnut for the graham crumbs in the crust. Then I’d top the cheesecake with Dulche, and sprinkle it with fresh raspberries and a great big shaving of bittersweet chocolate. Whadyya think? I’m trying it this weekend. I’ll let you know how it works out.

The pleasures of spring are sweet but, alas, short-lived (Anonymous)

It gets old fast, but even weeding dandelions has a special charm for the first few weeks of spring. Try Garant’s new weeder to remove the entire root without damaging the lawn. ($40 at Rona and other retailers) 

Floral motifs and mosaics - two of my favourite things

Jaqueline Vine from New Ravenna

 

 

Mosaics and floral motifs are both big news in decor these days. They come together in a new line by Sara Baldwin of New Ravenna Mosaics  Hand-made in Virginia with jewel glass and natural stone, they’re inspired by inlay techniques that date back to 17th century India. Designs include the delicate, curvy Jacqueline Vine, available in Toronto through Versatile. Customization means prices vary widely.

 

Out of Print offers a modern twist on literary classics

Avid readers looking for an alternative to cheeky, cheesy drug-store greeting cards will rejoice in Out of Print -  stationery featuring cover art of such iconic books asThe Great Gatsby and A Streetcar Named Desire.

There’s other fun stuff too (see below), such as  t-shirts, tote bags phone cases, all of which celebrate great literary works through fashion and art. Available in 11 single titles and one collage card, the five by seven inch greeting cards (US$4) are printed on durable cardstock, have a blank interior and  come with a craft envelope. Sets of eight smaller note cards are $12.50. Nice to note — each purchase helps buy books for schools and communities in need through Books For Africa.

The Bay welcomes homegrown talent with DwellStudio

DwellStudio  is now available at three of The Bay’s flagship stores nationwide  ­— Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. Founder and designer, Canadian Christiane Lemieux, launched DwellStudio in 1999, fusing modern design, a playful approach to colour and old-world details. 

Her bold geometrics, stripes and abstract florals became a design signature for the Ottawa native, who earned her design chops at the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York after graduating from Queen’s University.

Most of the DwellStudio line will be available in stores as well as select styles of DwellStudio furniture. Customers can also special order the complete furniture line through The Bay.