HAPPY NEW YEARS!

been a good one loves. xo.

J A N U A R Y .

F E B U A R Y .

M A R C H .

A P R I L .

M A Y .

J U N E .

J U L Y .

A U G U S T .

S E P T E M B E R .

O C T O B E R .

N O V E M B E R .

D E C E M B E R .

TOBOGGANS, BURRITOS, & BIKES: TOGETHER AT LAST!

so the best thing ever happened this past weekend.

first it SNOWED!

Thus, Kirsten, myself and a few friends decided to grab some sleds, hop on our bikes, and head out for some pure canadiana... tobogganing! I think the only thing more terrifying than biking down a slippery side street balancing a toboggan on your handle bars, might just be flying down the enormous and icy hills of Christie Pitts park on a tiny smurf saucer circa 1988. (Or standing on two crazy carpets... coughsnowwhitecough)

But trekking around a winter wonderland works up one's appetite - so we decided to try out the best new Toronto delivery service....

BURRITO BIKE!

As in, super delicious veggie or vegan burritos delivered to your door via bicycle, every friday night (!).... or in our case, instead of our front door, they came to us mid-tobogganing in a park. BEST EVER RIGHT?!

We even convinced Mark (who delivered us our food) to join us sledding for a bit. Too bad my night ended in a flat tire. Up until then, everything was coming up Nightshades.

TIS THE SEASON TO BE SNOTTY (j/k)

Love: Snow White, Miss Whitten and Jimmy. (oh and DNS)

Step One - Find Cardboard Tubes. Step Three - Take Over the World.

11pm.
At the sewing lab, sometime last week. Laura and Irene are finishing their respective sewing projects.

Irene: The hardest part about ------ ---- is gonna be finding the cardboard tubes. The rest is gonna roll out just fine. They're the wild card, though. If we can't find them, the whole thing is off.
Laura: True. The wool definitely won't be a problem.
Irene: Maybe can go down to fabric shops on Queen W. and ask if anybody has them?
Laura: That might take forever!


1:30am.
Later that night, walking home from the sewing studio. (It was snowing hard or we would have been biking)

Irene: So then I said "No, the gold spandex can't be sewn up with...
Laura: Hey what's that in the garbage?
Irene: Why are you going through someone's garba - HOLY CRAP!!! YOU'RE A GENIUS!!!

And that's the story of how Laura and Irene found the missing piece of the ------ ---- in less than 2 hours. Sometimes, when you're doing something as awesome as the ------ ----, the pieces of the puzzle just come together for you. Did I mention there was no conductor at the subway station, so we just walked right in? Amazing.
Stay tuned to find out what else we're going to need to make the ------ ----!

Happy Holidays! xoxo

May their be Love, Peace, Joy, Prosperity and Bicycles in your life this year and forever. xoxo

The only thing better than a hot cup of tea on a cold day...?

A cold teacup of beer. For two. After a long night of sewing, teaching PACTfashion classes and talking about everything from safe sex to top secret Deadly Nightshades Projects (oh, we've got a few up our seafoam sleeves...), sometimes there is just nothing like a tiny pink teacup full of beer to curl up with... thanks, beer!

Bike Home

I made friends in Vancouver who are really good musicians. I first met Robbie at AVEDA in Van while doing the BikeStyle Party and then I met up with them when I went to TEDxVan as they were playing the after party. Peter is the other half and he's a gentleman and a scholar.

They are called Das Humans and they make you dance dance dance . They are playing in TO March 10th so book your busy calendars now Torontonians.


HUMANS - Bike Home

Humans | Myspace Music Videos

higher, HIGHER.

Recently, our very own Snow White curated a wonderful installation of swing art at Studio Theatre. The exhibit showcased a smaller selection of works from the project as a whole, including one completed by the Deadly Nightshades.

The full installation will begin later this season, and to learn more about "Higher, HIGHER", Kirsten's artist statement is as follows:

The swing is ultimate equalizer when it comes to mobility. A swing can be modified to fit anyone. For adults with complex disabilities at the Muki Baum Treatment Center it also serves as an agent that can ground the mind and relax the body. These swings also promote adult play with in this community and create lasting bonds of trust and friendship. The “normal” adult community is lacking in communal play as we age, which is normally because an agent isn’t provided.

The solution: “higher, HIGHER”, a group installation project of 40 modern art based swings, made by 40 of the top emerging artist’s in Toronto that will be toured around 5 public parks to promote communal play amongst adults and create awareness for the artist’s at the Muki Baum Treatment Centre. Each swing will be up for sale and the completion of this tour and all funds will go to the artist’s at the Muki Baum Treatment Centre.

A year ago I had the privilege of working with some of the most raw and real artist’s I have come across. Un affected by public opinion on art, and defiantly not affected by trend they created for the joy and emotional release of whatever medium they were practicing. The work that these artists’s produce at the Muki Baum Treatment Center is limited not by ability but funds.

Stickneys and Stones

Hey Don Cherry. I think we need to have a little talk.

While I've always loved your style, your affinity for clashing plaids and your folksy straight talk on Coaches Corner, today I feel betrayed by you. How could you wear such an awesome jacket and hate on cyclists at the same time?
It's like time that time Le Tigre went and did an album with Xtina, and we were all like 'What were you thinking Kathleen?".

Maybe you were seduced. But whatever. There are some things I need to tell you, too. It's only fair.

Like, do you know what I like to do at rush hour on Bloor? I smile and wave at cars from my bike because I'm zipping past everyone on my big red Raleigh road bike. Okay, and maybe I laugh at them, too. Sure, on the highway any of them could drive faster than me, but in the downtown core? Bikes win every time. I can get across the city on my bike in half the time a car can do it. Faster than a taxi. Rather than spending my daily commute flat on my butt, I get to spend it whizzing through traffic with the wind in my hair and my heart pumping blood to my brain.

So go ahead and call me a left wing commie pinko cyclist, Don Cherry (even though I'm a libertarian). We're an easy target. Call me a hippie, or whatever you want. I'll still be biking to work everyday, long after your next coronary bypass and there's nothing you can do about it. In your heart you know I'm right; bikes are the future. Bike lanes are the future, public transit is the future. While US auto makers are going slowly bankrupt, bike sales are only going up and up. Hold on tight to your 'American Dream', where cars are the only ones allowed on the road - cause it's fading fast.

TRIANGLE GALLERY.

Want to make your christmas shopping experience, a little less of a mall induced nightmare this year?

Then check out The 12 Days of Art & Ideas this month at Triangle Gallery - Artscapes newest addition to the Queen West art district.

The show is FREE and runs til Dec 14th - showcasing some lovely bike seat covers locally produced & designed by yours truly - among other amazing artists, designers & craftsmanship! For more info on the show & other participants, go HERE!

SHAKE A TAIL?

Big Red is making stuff!! Check it out here and keep going back for more!!

The Joy of Cycling

Jamie Wieck's artist statement here.


(It's very important to know and understand where the valve is and how to treat it. It's a good idea to choose a cycling partner who values a good valve treatment. )

Cyclist are Bloody Vampires

So Australia is pretty neat and sweet for bikes. The guys from Knog over there introduced me to this amazing blow-my-mind damn-you-pacific-ocean-getting-in-the-way event called the Melbourne Bike Fest. It's a clean, modern, youthful and design-centric bike expo thingy going on from the 24th to the 28th in Melbourne.

Their program promises: "Bikefest features art, design, forums, workshops, markets, music, screenings, bike rides and more. It is a non-competitive, celebratory event for bike riders of every ability and riding style."

In particular, I'm hoping their seminar on Cultural Shift: Women and Bikes is uploaded TED styles to the interweb.

And they have promotional trailers that feature vampires. I think this shows their legit quest to strive for normalcy and popularity- vampires are like the biggest meme going on out there right now.

ONCE BITTEN - Part One from WHO BY FIRE on Vimeo.

ONCE BITTEN - Part Three from WHO BY FIRE on Vimeo.

Best joke about vampires and bikes curtsy of the Super News at around the 4 minute mark.

100+ years of TRYING to get along

Yesterday Big Red, Cannibal Vixen and myself went down to MTV to voice our opinions about cyclist's, motorist's and pedestrians on our Toronto city streets. There were a panel of experts featuring a commuter biker, driver's and our fav female courier Sunny D.

Needless to say the discussion got heated. Can we truly all get along on our busy streets?

Can we all understand that generally that the anger is created by fear and mis education and not a hate between cyclist's and motorist's (except for cab's, you all suck)

I went on a little research mission today and found this awesome video about bicycle culture in Denver in the 1890's.

Funny, the issue's that we cyclist's face today, from the poor city infrastructure to politicians trying to make a buck off us (trying to liscense cycling... WTF!) has all been battled by our community before. We just need to keep educating and accepting people into this awesome community and eventually our voices will be heard.

Anyways check out MTV Sunday November 21st at 8pm to catch all the goods.

RIDE FAST, RIDE SAFE,RIDE HAPPY!

BOSTON.

So after a whirlwind trip to Boston, I've come to the conclusion that the one edge they've got on us Torontonians (aside from foodler), is some mad gorgeous frame building going on. Over the past few days, I've had the privilege of checking out the workshops of Geekhouse Bikes, Icarus Frames & Royal H. Cycles. Makes me wish I had a few grand kicking around for my own custom. Check out more indepth shop tours at Prolly Is Not Probably - who also happened to be in town & gets cred for all these lovely photos.

Overall, my weekend was some great biking, and some better company. But I think it's probably best summed up with one silver velour snake-skin jacket with a pearl zipper. Or.... this.

FALL BALLIN'

Snow White & Cannibal Vixen did us so so proud! Also check out these rad shirts that Patty silk screened for the tournament. Who doesn't want one of these puppies?

SCRAPER BIKES

We'll I am tickled by this vid. Oakland "hood" green movement, mixed with bikes, promoting youth to embrace sustainability and stay in school.

GO CHAMP GO is all I have to say. I may also be tricking out my polo bike "SCRAPER" styles very soon.

P.S You open that bike shop and DNS will help you fund raise for sure. HOLLAH!

BRAIN BUCKETS?

I admittedly very rarely wear a helmet (unless at Polo), and as I was being eaten alive by the street car tracks on Queen (while it was raining a few weeks ago after Hell Track) my dear friend Meg OH!'s face flashed through my mind

"Where's you're helmet lady?" spirit Meg OH said.

"On my coat rack, keeping my coats safe?" Imaginary Megs didn't look impressed.

Meg's promotes proper safety while biking but NEVER shoves it down you're throat. That's why the people at PROHAB snatched her up to pose for their calender to raise funds to provide helmets for those in the cycling community who don't have them. Check them out and donate or purchase a HOT calender with Meg's in it. Look at her honestly. HOT DAMN:)

And I promise Meg's the ol' brain bucket is finding a more permanent fixture on my skull.

Cause we all know the only DNS rule: DON"T DIE.

Women in the Bike Industry

So, I had a fun month in September, where I got to go to the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada's ExpoCycle and Interbike, North America's MASSSIVE trade show in Las Vegas.

Holy 180 from the Fashion world. It's all straight dudes. Walking through the halls of Interbike, a few men of the bike industry even said "Thank you" as I passed them. They were looking at my name badge (here is to hoping), maybe they really like Momentum Magazine and how we help put people on bikes? Apparently a tank top and knee shorts and some wedge heels is all it takes to be the pinacle of "fashion" in this industry... Impressing spandex-racers ain't to hard.

Sarah, the editor at Momentum, attended a seminar at Interbike called "Selling to Women", and wrote a great article about women in the industry. You should read it here: Cycling's Litmus Test. Seeing as women account for only 12-15 percent of the industry, the amount of attention I got at this sausage party isn't that surprising.

The most AWESOME man that I met is the mind behind the Celeste Bianci Colour... I was a total blubbering idiot. How can you keep your composure with a soft spoken Italian genius legend?

He thought the Nightshades were cute. :)

(P.S. Vegas is gross... and the only safe bike route on the strip is actually on the astro-turff in the center. It's a weird kinda mountain biking I tells ya... On another note, those infamous sex card guys all ride bikes! Cool, eh? Husslin' and bikes... hand and hand.. )

Awesome Competition

So, the competition deadline is closed, but the Young Entrepreneurs of Canada are putting on a great competition, with a real cause and some money to be won.




They are having the awards on the 25th of November at the MArS institute on College and University, right on the College street bike lane. You should go, because I want to but there are like, 4 provinces separating me from this event right now. Boooo....

Spider vs. Unicorn

AFTERMATH.

It's hard to stomach... but I'm totally down for electing a unicorn next time round.

And on that note - here's hoping in said future elections, that the voter turn out will be more than 50%. This way we won't have a mayor supported by only a 1/4 of the city, and the suburbs at that (and I'm from Etobicoke). I would argue that Rob Ford as our mayor, is the result of apathy - he's too much of gong show to make sense of it otherwise. But for now (the next four years), let's all play the hand we've been dealt, and make our city what we know it can be, and not what's being forced upon us. Because, I still think that Toronto is one of the best cities in the world - no matter who claims to be running the show.

And, I'm glad to call this lovely lady one of my wonderful roommates & friend to the Nightshades. To hear more of her fantastic music go HERE!

BIKE SEAT COVERS!

For me my bike is like an extension of my body. So the more personalized i can make it the better ...and now you can do the same!

Get your own one-of-a-kind seat cover, made by yours truly via The Gild. Check out our etsy shop right HERE!

Locally produced using recycled materials and love. Each cover includes a removable foam insert for comfortable riding - while a shaped overhang, elastic cording and toggle at the base ensures a snug fit. This durable cover also doubles as a carrying case, to keep your lights, gloves & bike keys all in one place when you lock up. And if you're anything like me, I lose all the of above in the depths of my bag every single day.

Custom designs available upon request. Contact: the.gildhouse at gmail.com

Post-Modern Sewing goes National!

About a week ago, I had the pleasure of sewing for an afternoon with the lovely and very literate Alison Broverman of the National Post. Alison writes a column for the Post called Standing Engagement that covers anything and everything awesome in Toronto - from the Brickworks to indoor volleyball to home canning classes at Good Egg. So I was really stoked to have her at The Make Den for a few hours for a Halloween Sewing Class! We stitched up my favorite beginner pattern, my Lady Gaga jacket with huge pleated sleeves (which never fail to make me laugh when they get sewn up, by the way). I love showing beginners how to sew up that jacket because it looks totally unlike anything you'd expect to see in an intro to sewing class. Here's a quote from the article:

"After just a few hours in The Make Den, unlikely things occur. Sewing machine phobia melts away. Oven-mitt liner is transformed into a wild glam-rock blazer. Hemming is much simpler than you remember it.

The Make Den is seamstress, designer and teacher Irene Stickney’s Bloor West sewing studio, a sunny room above clothing store 69 Vintage near Bloor and Dufferin. The studio’s large windows look out on to a greenery-draped deck, and the shelves and cupboards are crammed with fabric, accessories and clothes-in-progress. A row of sewing machines against the wall gleam with sartorial promise."

You can read the rest here.

CLOTHED MATTERS.

This friday, I'm teaching an open-to-all fashion illustration workshop at Freedom Gallery - held in conjunction with my October exhibition CLOTHED MATTERS.

There will be some awesome drawing activities to start & life drawing to follow - featuring models & clothing from us Nightshades. After the workshop, an opening reception for the exhibit begins.

So come by early to make some friends & brush up on your drawing skills, or later to take in some art & have a drink.

FREEDOM CC GALLERY

Friday October 15th, 2010

939 Bloor St W.

illustration workshop: 8-10pm (PWYC)

opening reception: 10pm - midnight (FREE!)

Frock and Roll!

I'm SO excited about this class - it's gonna kick start some serious sewing love in whoever takes it... inspired by girls who love to rock out with their frocks out! Make yourself the perfect little studded vest, cupcake tutu and a wool military jacket with a stand up collar, set-in sleeves and MJ closures! Class starts on Oct 30th at The Make Den and runs from 1-5pm for 8 weeks. Class fee is $350~ plus $75~ materials fee (which includes HST, all notions, use of sewing machines, fabric studs and trim and tonnes of tulle and take-home patterns for all garments). Email themakeden at hotmail.com to register