two are better then one.

a week of non-stop cutting and sewing has created an explosion of bags unlike any the workshop has seen...

after months of staring at folds of gorgeous canvases on the workshop shelves that i never seem to get to, i decided to dive into the stacks... armed with a simple idea that just made sense... classic and perfectly practical totes with an added feature - make them reversible for double duty.

sometimes i have such trouble picking fabric to line a bag - never sure if i really want to relegate it to a hidden life inside, or save it for a life of glory on the "outside". these totes give the fabric a little of both, and the fun of two options to compliment your mood or outfit ;)

reversible totes available at cipollashop.com

happy weekend!
♥m.

a new namesake.

i'm so excited to introduce one of my new 09 bag designs for cipolla, it is my favourite bag right now! the generous round body of this new bag gathers at the opening to create a beautiful bulb-like shape... which is why i've dubbed it the onion.

i've been wearing mine for months now and i adore it. it's super roomy without feeling cumbersome and hugs your shoulder feeling so comfy... like a pillow under your arm ;)

i've been sewing up a storm all new year to prepare a fabulous spread for the shop, including these and more:





back to the machines...
♥m.

strike a pose.

cipolla's first photo shoot!

yes, one where i'm not snapping the shots
and the camera is larger then a pack of gum!
why talk when there's pictures waiting! ...

cipolla reversible cowls

cipolla plaid scarves

cipolla flannel forest scarves

♥m.

softest!, coziest!, snuggliest! [that's a word, right?]

i've finally taken photos of my new line of brushed cotton scarves. these were so popular at the puces pop market in montreal earlier this month that i returned home out of stock and had to busy myself in the workshop to get a collection ready for the shop.

they are finally here! photographed, listed, and available in a variety of colours. these really are the softest comfiest material you could want to have snuggled around your neck.


this scarf will become your new favourite item of clothing,
and your best friend on a chilly day waiting for the bus ;)

they are a large square shape - so that they can be folded, draped, twisted and slung in various trendy ways. a great unisex piece, and the perfect combination of style and warmth.


vic and i are already addicted to ours... running to the corner for a coffee is a happy excuse to wear it.

anyhow... back to the machines...
♥m.

behold...

i am beyond smitten. past obsessed. i'd call it a complete consumption. i've never been happier to be sewing until 2am. for the first three days i went to bed still smiling and hearing the hum. i woke-up dreaming we were streaming through long lines of thick stitches through layers of stiff canvas...

[insert heavenly choral sound here]

so it's been over one week since i brought home my baby. my frustration level has never been this low. i'm kicking and cursing only occasionally. it's true! needless to say, the workshop is both a happier and more productive place. i can't wait to dig into my pile of winter scarves. i'm hoping this year will be much less stress crazy. but then, that wouldn't really be cipolla... ah well.


fresh off the new machine, a batch of pencil/gadget cases just in time for back-to-schoolers. listed in the shop today.


happy weekend.
♥ m.

the comfiest hobo

for months i've been staring longingly at the stacks of beautiful japanese fabrics on my workshop shelves, waiting for a break in the pile of to-be-sewns beside the machines...
this week the moment finally arrived. i was at last able to let my hands, scissors & needles go crazy on some beautiful cotton damask prints. and what fun i had!... making a flurry of gorgeous soft and comfy hobo bags in a delicious assortment of colours...


this is a new cipolla design [one i've been carrying around with me for six months to test out - and i love it!]. it's the ultimate hobo bag... large and cushy... convenient and stylish bubble shape... complete with zipper closure, two roomy pockets and a key clip.


these bags, and more, listed in the shop this week.

back to the machine for me...
there's always more fab fabrics waiting on the shelves...
♥ m.

accessory necessities...

lately i've been sneaking away from the sewing machine to take some time in the sunny backyard and finally have some fun with the assortment of findings I've collected over the past year or so...

new in the shop this month, we've got a nice mix of hair clips and other unique and lovely accessories.

glass owl earring studs - $5.75

fresh leaf hair clips - $5.00

as with all cipolla items, these pieces are handmade in small batches with love and care. they feature unique and/or vintage parts that i find while taking a break from sewing to indulge myself in a little shopping. and they're not just for girls! i've been working on some pins / tie clips... like this compass pin.

directional brooch or tie pin - $5.00

more to come, including cuff links and perhaps some jewellery.
though for now, back to the machine...
♥ m.

hanky love.

we're having a happy hanky sale at cipolla!

hankies in the etsy shop are on sale for as low as $7.50 each.
I'm making room for new hankies in the coming months,
so now's a great time to snatch up a bargain!

handkerchiefs are indespensible little tools - not just for sneezes, but for spills, hot coffee cups, funky pocket squares, and more.

they make fab gifts - pretty and practical, and eco-friendly too :)


chocolate cream trio - $22.50


vintage prints duo - $15.00


asian scenic hanky - $7.50

cipolla hankies are made from prewashed, 100% cotton. they are two ply, sewn carefully and topstitched for extra durability. washer and dryer safe. and damn cute!

hooray for hankies!
♥ m.

opera shoes.

this december my family pooled resources and floored me on xmas morning with two tickets to the opera - fabulous, ridiculously expensive seats and a classic italian work: tosca. over the past year i have been daydreaming aloud about going to a show (after all, i pass the opera company building almost every time i take the tram). of course, it was one of those things that i didn't expect to make happen any time soon - so when i opened the gift i was so surprised i actually teared up (which of course just made my brothers' smiles even bigger as they watched).


so as i waited for the months to pass (the performance was in february), i prepared. i treated myself to new moisturizer and lip gloss at the pharmacy (so indulgent, i know!)... oh, and another round of black hair dye too. i had a great dress that i bought in the fall... but i dragged vic out for a few hours of shoe shopping. i wanted to really make it a big deal... i even wore nylons! and then a few days before the show i resolved to make myself a new bag - i often feel like the cobbler who's kids don't have shoes, so it was a fun change in the workshop.

i made myself this purse and wallet (below) from a fabulous plush velvety silvery remnant that i picked up at a local fabric shop months ago. i made a few extras for the shop too, so go check them out if you're a fellow fan of silver-grey goodness.

i wore a simple black 1950's inspired sweater dress, and my shoes made me happy with their fab little cut-outs and just the right amount of toe cleavage. vic was in black as well, wearing the silver poppy tie that i bought her from fellow etsian toybreaker (favourite!). we were sharp and shimmery in our fab black and silver splendor, and the cutest little femme/butch stereotype couple you ever did see! we were feeling so indulgent we even splurged on surprisingly delicious coffee and cookies at intermission. all in all it was a most fabulous night.



much love to the famiglia.
♥ m.

finalmente.

yes it's true, i'm finally getting to work on a new batch of bags for the shop. this weekend i finished a few with my tree applique. this one is my favourite of the bunch - i love the blue/grey and caramel colour combo, and the soft corduroy combined with the sharp embroidery. yum.

keep watch this week - as i finish more bags, i'll be listing them in the shop. i'm determined to get to some swallows, and sea creatures...

night.
♥ m.

balcony inspiration.

i've been having trouble these last few months finding time to sit down and draw up some new appliques. batches of zombies, crows, and trees are keeping my fingers busy.

one thing i've been meaning to do for a while is a little homage to the squirrels who hound our back balcony, feasting on the scraps vic's always putting out for them and keeping me company while i take my coffee breaks in the kitchen. they're so cute they almost make me forget how they tore up my garden each morning this past summer.

a few mornings ago i snagged a pic of this little guy.


he definitely made my morning - looking so content with his food find, depite the cold and horribly windy day it was. i took a few minutes to plan a new squirrely inspired item. i had a few yards of a fabulous cashmere blend on the workshop shelves, leftover from my batch of december scarves, it was a dark chocolately brown that seemed perfect.

the result was a cute and cozy new scarf, available in my etsy shop.



back to the machine!
♥ m.

stamped.

i love stamps. i love drawing little images for them, i love carving them, and i especially love pressing them down on the paper (or fabric) and seeing the result.

i'm an instant gratification girl and this is instant gratification in the best way. in less then an hour you can go from a doodle on your napkin to a fun stamp you can use for almost anything.

this weekend i was a hermit in the workshop messing around with new stamps i had made friday night.
yes, i stayed home friday night and made stamps.
moving on...

here's what i made this weekend - love to the hanky!




[above] the heartfelt hanky is red eco-friendly ink hand-stamped on crisp white cotton. it is available in my etsy shop now.

and you can wrap it all up with a gift wrap and card pack that i make with a smaller heart stamp.



♥ m.

valentine treats.

i've just completed a few batches of valentine inspired goodies. some not-so-conventional items that are a little less sappy and a lot more fun.

if you're planning to buy a treat for your valentine - forget the hallmark trademarks - go for something unique and unexpected that's sure to make them feel special.

available in the shop today.


Zombie's need love too. Gray cotton duck pillow with black Zombie applique and red velvet anatomical heart.



Thief of hearts. Gray cotton duck pillow with black Raven applique and red velvet anatomical heart.



In search of love. Gray cotton duck pillow with black Zombie applique and red velvet hearts.

you'll find these pillows, plus more
freshly sewn goodies in cipolla's shop.

♥ m.

wool and windows.

seems i jinxed things with my last icy post. everything has melted in toronto and i was quite comfortable in an unzipped hoody on my walk to the post office this afternoon. but enjoying this warmth makes me feel so dirty...

i ♥ wool.

if you're a sewn fresh daily newsletter reader - you know i have a weakness for wool and other gorgeous natural fibres in traditional tweeds, herringbone and houndstooth...

sewing up scarves is really just an excuse to spend time fawning over these fabrics. though i'm in wool shop withdrawel lately - since the workshop shelves are still full from stocking up before xmas i haven't needed to explore the stores.

so i'm pushing through the last of the fabrics, if only to have an excuse to go buy more ;)

new in the shop today - classic black and white houndstooth scarves in either crow or spider applique:




drop by the shop to take a closer look at these and other cipolla appliqued scarves.

♥ m.

my favourite tree.

lately i've been having a lot of fun bringing my tree drawing to life in fabric and thread. my newest favourite is this yummy dark chocolate brown scarf. i'll definitely be sewing up my own personal batch for a few gifts on my list ;)


this scarf, and others, are available in my etsy shop.

back to work... though not at the machine. today i've promised i'd clean up the workshop... there's fabric covering every surface - i had to move a pile just to find room to work at the laptop this morning!

have a great day.
♥ m.

seriously too cute.

i just finished a batch of hankies using the most adorable print ever. vic and i found it while browsing the len mills shelves at the creativ festival last month. and although it was a little overpriced and perhaps more then a little cheezy, i couldn't resist! the most lovable little squirrels, chipmunks, racoons, rabbits, and birds in a winter holiday theme. i immediately thought it would make painfully cute hankies for xmas stockings and such.

i set a few aside for me, vic, and gifts.
and i'm on my way to list the rest in the shop.

this guy is the best. just try to resist him.


♥ m.