A new post, a new creation...

Since my post-mat leave return to work I haven't had much time or energy for crafting or blogging. Luckily I had a special occasion today - one that demanded that I haul the sewing machine out of the basement. My awesome niece had her first birthday party - and you know how I cherish first birthdays!

I was having a hard time finding the perfect gift for the little gal. Her mom suggested a handmade doll, so I gave her a stack of my books on soft-toy making and asked her to mark her faves. She picked the funky bunnies with flower eyes by Portuguese dollmaker Rosa Pomar in Plush-O-Rama.


The fabric came from a huge stash that my sis bought on Kijiji ($40 for two big boxes), plus about $2 worth of trim and felt. There was no pattern so I just did my best approximation of the photograph in the book. I'm very particular about faces - they've gotta be A.C.A.P. (as cute as possible). On that front I got a lot of helpful advice from my husband/creative consultant. I'm quite pleased with the result. This is the biggest doll I've ever made. It's more than two feet tall, almost as big as the birthday girl!

BTW if you're looking for creative party ideas, my sis had a terrific idea for decorations/party favors. She posted an ad on Kijiji looking for someone who makes balloon animals and ordered a couple of dozen balloon flowers. They added some visual (and sonic) pop to the party and the kids were clamoring to take them home at the end of the festivities!

Lovely and easy crafts for kids

My friend Nancy sent me this link.
She got it from her friend Alison.
And now I'm sharing it with you.

http://madebyjoel.blogspot.com/

So simple, so beautiful and so fun!
Next time you're tempted to hit Toys R Us, back away from the car, and click here instead.

Or drive to Portland. There appears to be some kind of weird creativity-inducing bacteria in the water there.

A raw deal

Tuesday has become Sushi Day in my world. It all started with my BFF Irene, who works part-time, and always takes Tuesdays off. During my mat leave we would regularly meet at Bimi (at Grant and Kenaston, next to Stella's) for their 1/2 price sushi deal. It worked well, especially because they've got a tatami area that's comfy for kids. I could plop Baby Cheaperthan on a blanket or in her Bumbo and she'd happily hang out while we gorged ourselves on ngiri.

A few weeks ago Bimi launched an even better promotion - an all-you-can-eat sushi lunch for $15! You can order whatever you like from a huge menu including hot apps and fancy maki. Today I went with two gourmand friends and we stuffed ourselves with agedashi tofu, shrimp and scallop tempura, two caterpillar rolls, a rainbow roll, a dragon eye roll, a tiger roll and a pizza sushi. Must admit there was some belt-loosening happening towards the end of the meal. The rule at Bimi is that you have to pay full price for whatever food is left on your plate. It requires a certain amount of prescience (or restraint?) to order just the right amount of food. A word of advice: three appetizers and six huge deep-fried maki is more than enough for three people, even if one of them has a hollow leg.

If you want to try a simpler and quicker sushi lunch, check out Dae Gill on Madison. They offer an $8 takeout lunch special - two maki plus a drink or miso soup. Their sashimi is also pretty cheap, and comes in generous portions.

Sushi joints are busting out all over Winnipeg right now. What's your favorite sushi spot?

Give it up for Giveaway Weekend

It's way too cold and grey for gardening. Might as well spend some time cleaning out the basement and sorting stuff for Giveaway Weekend #2. That's right, on May 15 and 16 you are once again encouraged to dump your junk at the curb so that your neighbors can openly judge you. Kidding! Actually, I love Giveaway Weekend. Last time I cleared out several unwieldy bookshelves and four large boxes of tea lights which I realized I would never ever use. Everything got magicked away as if by elves driving minivans. You might want to keep your kids' bikes and wagons well within your property line though. I know at least one person who lost a tricycle last Giveaway Weekend. People are only supposed to take stuff on the curb marked "free" but a few takers clearly got overzealous.

If you have exceptionally useful junk, you might want to think about donating it to Centre Flavie Laurent. It's a charity founded by the Grey Nuns which distributes donated furniture, household items and clothing to people in need. Though it's been around for a while, I first heard of it recently, thanks to CBC News host Janet Stewart. She wrote a nice note about it on Facebook, of all places.

First birthday fever

I promised myself I would not go overboard for Baby Cheaperthan's first birthday. I firmly believe that it is crazy to pour a ton of time, money and energy into a party for a kid who will remember exactly none of it. My plan was to invite our closest family to brunch at McNally Robinson. But then I thought, "It's a special occasion, we should invite the aunts and uncles and cousins." And then I thought, "We should invite our playdate friends who've made this such a great year." And then I thought, "I'll do a come-and-go cupcake party, how hard can that be?" And then I had a guest list of fifty, and I was officially infected with First Birthday Fever.

One sign that you have First Birthday Fever: you are tempted to do everything by hand. For one insane moment I did consider hand-making invitations. Luckily I thought better of it, and went instead to Kodak Gallery to order custom photo cards. Very cute, and if you pick them up at a local retailer (in my case, Best Buy) then you don't have to pay shipping.

I was also tempted to make a piñata shaped like a cupcake. Especially when I saw samples at All Things Cupcake online. But again reason prevailed, and the piñata idea was abandoned.

Good thing too. Turned out I needed some spare time for making actual cupcakes. Originally I was going to order them, but they're kinda pricey when you're ordering enough for fifty hungry guests. At Sweet Impressions on Tache and at the Cupcake Corner on Stradbook, custom cupcakes are $3 each. High Tea Bakery (a personal favorite) sells them for $2 each, or $23/dozen.

Once I decided I was going to make the cupcakes, all I had to do was learn how. Luckily I had my friend Sarah's Magnolia Bakery Cookbook, and a YouTube tutorial on how to ice a cupcake at my fingertips. Let me tell you, Helen Shroyer is my hero. At 1:30 a.m., I iced my last cupcake. I was covered in food coloring and my hands were aching but I was pretty pleased with the result (the display stand on loan from MAWA is a helpful touch).



Let me tell you, if you are going to ice cupcakes until the wee hours, it does help if you have a team of people taking care of other small party details like, say, food and party wear. Luckily a few people had my back. Grannie, Lola and Auntie E. set up a buffet feast and Auntie R. contributed the cutest cupcake dress in the world (a Small Potatoes creation). Most importantly of course Baby Cheaperthan had a great day (with no nap-deprived meltdowns, yay!). I know she won't remember it, but I definitely will. Thank goodness we have a year to relax until Birthday #2.

Hey frugal foodies, recipes requested

I just stumbled upon an article headlined Eating Well on $50 a Week. Even though the story is over a year old, it's understandably one of the most read on the Maclean's website. I imagine a lot of people wish they could shrink their grocery bills (though I don't know how many would like to do it by dining on sardines and navy beans).

I for one love the feeling you get when the Safeway cashier enters your Club Card number and you watch all the discounts dropping off your bill. And then the numbers stop spinning and the cashier says, "You saved $23.18 today." It's kind of mesmerizing and rewarding, like playing a VLT.

Some months our food budget bobs perilously close to our mortgage payments. Not because we're foodies - on the contrary, our recipe repertoire is limited to about ten dishes....most of which involve chicken or fish. I had planned to ease us into vegetarianism, starting with Meatless Mondays, but I keep forgetting. If you've got recipes for fortifying dinners for two that cost less than $7.14 and don't involve pre-soaking legumes, please send them my way!

A cosy commercial and bargains for knitters

Knitters, it's time to have fun!

To begin, watch these two videos. My friend and avid knitter Steph W. sent them to me this week. First, one of the most tactile commercials I've ever seen. It's supposed to be selling natural gas, but really I think it's about the transformative power of knitting! The making-of video is equally charmant, oui oui.

Now that you're in the mood to knit, head to Ram Wools at Portage and Sherburn, for their anniversary sale. It's been a year since they moved to the new location, and everything in the store is 25% off! Time to stock up on yarn, books, needles, buttons, whatever you need for your next project. The sale runs 'til Wednesday, March 31 so you've got some time.

Thanks to you, Mr. Robinson

Today by chance I ran into the man who put the Robinson in McNally Robinson. Ron Robinson is always lovely to chat with about a myriad of topics - Fringe plays, Coronation Street, Eaton's, and of course books. Sounds like he has a serious case of hoarditis. His partner suggested that they buy the house across the street because their own is wall-to-wall books. "I always think of it as insulation," was Ron's defense. As a result, Ron has been on his own quest to monetize his literary assets. So I asked him for his suggestions of good spots to sell used books.

His first go-to spot is Bison Books, with the proviso that they don't always offer top dollar. He brought a book there a while back, and was offered $3 for it. He decided to hang on to it, as he was planning a trip to London, England. Once there, he walked into a shop on Cecil Court off Charing Cross Road and asked for their appraisal. The shopkeep eyed it. "First edition, The Tin Drum, good condition, I'll give you £30; for it." "Sold!" said Ron. (He originally paid 50p for it). He promptly donated his $60 CDN to CKUW, the campus and community radio station where he hosts the programs Pages (Thursdays at 5 p.m.) and The Saturday Morning Show (Saturdays at 6 a.m.)

His second go-to spot is Aqua Books, located in a former Chinese restaurant on Garry Street. One plus is that the owner, Kelly, will donate any books he doesn't buy to the Children's Hospital Book Market. So once you take your books to Aqua, you don't have to worry about the rejects languishing in the trunk of your car. After selling books there, Ron usually spends his proceeds on a tasty dessert from the cheerful in-store bistro, EAT!. That Ron Robinson is a wise, wise man.

We've found heaven, and it has a bouncy castle

It's tough to find cheap indoor activities for under-fivers in this town. When both I and the baby were crawling the walls this winter, too often we had to pay for our escape from the Land of Stir Crazy. For playdates we've tried the Children's Museum (pricey at $7), the West Portage Y ($12 for a family of 4), and Bimi Sushi (half-price sushi on Mondays and Tuesdays). I know lots of people swear by the play areas at McDonald's or Indigo or St. Vital Centre. One friend takes her little guy to the play area at the airport, but of course you have to pay for parking. This city is in dire need of warm public space for toddlers.

This week (thanks to Brent!) we found Winnipeg's toddler and parent paradise: the Ride and Play program at Earl Grey Community Centre. The bright, open gym space is filled with ride-on toys (from radio flyers to scooters), a couple of play houses, the aforementioned bouncy castle, and a craft table. They've got train sets and building toys and for pre-crawlers, there are exersaucers and play mats. Alison the coordinator has thought of everything, including bins for toys that have been "slimed" and need to be disinfected. I think the only thing that could improve the Ride and Play is a couple of massage chairs for parents to sit in while on kid watch.

Admission is just $2 (not $3 as stated in the Free Press article). The drop-in program runs Tuesday and Thursday mornings and Wednesdays from 9:15-2:30 p.m., and every session ends with a grand finale involving clean-up music and balls and ribbons. Good times!

Presentation isn't always everything

MAWA's Over The Top! Art Auction and Cupcake Party is just over a week away. Last year the cupcakes were a real feast for the eyes, elaborately adorned with butterflies, and sparkly sprinkles atop perfect piping. With that in mind, I thought I would try something a little more festive than my default Betty Crocker meets Duncan Hines creations. My friend Sarah lent me her Cupcakes! recipe book. After eyeballing the cupcake porn, I had pictures of Chocolate-Covered Brownie Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes dancing in my head.

Sadly, I was too lazy to follow the exact recipe. I replaced the fancy chocolate batter with a simple yellow batter. Then once I mixed the batter, I had to suspend production for a meeting with a contractor. The end result was a disappointment. The cupcakes were hard and dry, and the ones I made in Jumbo cones didn't rise enough. Only three of them actually looked like ice cream cones (that's why there are only three in the photo). And it turns out, eating a cupcake out of a cone is actually kind of awkward and unappealing (unless perhaps you are three years old and have a side dish of ice cream). On the plus side, the chocolate dip was super easy to make. For my next dessert, chocolate-covered strawberries!

Monetize me!

For the last several years our friend Jeff has organized a Winnipeg edition of the Amazing Race, complete with karaoke detours and rock-climbing road blocks. Jeff masterminds a course that takes teams to historic parks, overlooked monuments and funky neighborhoods. I love being a tourist in my own town, and travelling to corners of the city that I've forgotten about or never seen. If it weren't for Jeff, I might have missed the cartoon hydrants of Bruce Park.

Winnipeg is full of scenes that you never see, but are right in front of you all the time. Take the second-hand scene. I've been checking out some of the small businesses that buy and sell used stuff (since we're trying to de-hoard, we may as well monetize our assets). I'm impressed by how much money is flowing through this city's hand-me-down micro-economy. I'm starting to think it's the real reason Manitoba escaped the recession relatively unscathed. Here are some high points on my monetize-me map:

Music Trader: Since Christmas we have been digitizing our music collection, which means importing hundreds of CDs into the iPod. Music Trader in Osborne Village happily bought about fifty of my now-redundant CDs, for $170 cash. (If you opt to trade rather than sell, you get up to 25% more.) Billy Bragg was a hit there. The Cranberries were not.

Entertainment Exchange: I took the remaining CDs to Entertainment Exchange in Grant Park Mall (across from Safeway). The guy there was really friendly, and bought about 24 CDs (including The Doors and The Proclaimers) for $80.

Wolseley Wardrobe: They sell men's, women's and children's clothes on consignment, and they are super-friendly and helpful. Anything that doesn't sell gets donated. I highly recommend this store, since they also have a lovely yarn selection for knitters and they always have their radio tuned to CBC. Details on how to become a consignee are on their website.

The Neighborhood Bookstore & Cafe: I brought in a small box of about 25 books - mostly art, poetry and literature to this store on Westminster Avenue. The owner, Bill, gave me the option of cash or credit. I took $45 in store credit, which I spent on a whole lot of delicious tuna onigiri. Whodunit? Mystery Bookstore will buy your mystery paperbacks for $1 each. (Or you can donate them to the Children's Hospital Bookmarket).

Movie Village: This landmark Osborne Village business sent me a cheque for $40 for a handful of movies and TV series on DVD (including the disappointing third season of Veronica Mars).
They promised to send me the cheque within ten days. When it didn't arrive, I called and discovered there had been some kind of computer glitch and the cheque had not been cut. So make sure you keep your receipt, and follow up if there's a problem.

Mom and Children's Paradise: This store on Nairn Avenue is next on my list of places to visit. They buy and sell clothes for babies, kids and women, as well as "baby needs" and toys. My friend Meagan did some de-cluttering of kids toys and baby stuff, and got $55 for her trouble.

Do you have a favorite spot for monetizing your assets? Do tell! I would love to add to the list.

Happy International Women's Day!

This is the perfect day to share a few creations made by awesome women and girls. International Women's Day is almost over, but for me, this stuff is inspiring year-round:
* Amy Poehler's web series, Smart Girls At The Party, especially The Feminist - Ruby.

* Andrea Dorfman's video for Tanya Davis's song, Art

* Cecil Castelluci's graphic novel, The Plain Janes

* India Arie's song Beautiful Flower

* Bust magazine, "the magazine for women with something to get off their chests"

House of hoarders

A couple of years ago, I got the rare chance to tour Habitat 67, the stunning modular housing complex designed by Moshe Safdie for Montreal's Expo '67. I was in modernist heaven - I'm a sucker for humanist design, not to mention built-in bookshelves, natural light and a river view! I was surprised to discover that some of the Habitat dwellers were not as enamored of the original units. One owner transformed his lovely clean wood-and-glass cube into a black-and-white Zen garden, complete with stones, bamboo and water features. It was very sleek and glossy - and disorienting. I couldn't figure out where the family kept the detritus of daily life - the weekend paper, the umbrella, the dustpan. Then I accidentally caught a glimpse of their closet (I opened the door thinking it was the washroom) and discovered it was crammed full of junk. Slippers, cleaning supplies, lightbulb and two-litre bottles of Sprite were all ready to bust out at any moment like so many skeletons. It was a relief to realize that even the most minimalist of us are hoarders at heart.

On the spectrum from Zen minimalist to hoarding horror, our house is perpetually on the cusp of horror. (My sister tells me that if you have to close doors to certain rooms when you have visitors, you are a hoarder). Once every couple of months I pack up a box of clothes and other stuff for Canadian Diabetes. I've taken our VHS machine and old battery chargers to the e-waste depot. I've donated boxes of baby stuff to Villa Rosa. I have been known to visit Unclutterer. But still stuff accumulates. Lately I'm getting a kick out of spinning our household junk into cold hard cash. (And no, I'm not selling stuff on Kijiji or Used Winnipeg). The fact is, a surprising number of businesses in this city will give you money for stuff you no longer want. I'll walk you through a few of them in a post later this week.

This 22 minutes cost me $20

I just paid $20 to watch a half-hour TV show. Grrrr. It had better be good! As I mentioned before, I'm a big fan of Less Than Kind. For its first season, the program aired on City TV, but its audience numbers weren't stellar. Blame The Bachelorette, not a great lead-in for a quirky comedy set in Winnipeg. So the show has moved up the dial to HBO Canada, a better fit according to show writer/producer Mark McKinney. He's probably right. I just wish I didn't have to shell out $20 per month to MTS to see for myself. Ah well, I'm looking forward to the season premiere. Apparently Dave Foley has a cameo.

Don't forget to see Remember The Night

If you missed Remember The Night at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival two years ago, I highly recommend you catch the remount next month. Daniel Thau-Eleff penned this play, described as "equal parts murder-mystery, dark comedy and bittersweet love song to Winnipeg." It sold out its entire Fringe run, partly because it was in a tiny 60-seat venue. (I specifically remember this because I scored the very last advance ticket available). In his five-star review for CBC, my friend Kaj wrote it "mixes Woody Allen-style laughs with Tarantino-esque structure." I thought everything about the production was terrific - the multi-generational cast, the direction by Arne MacPherson, the innovative set, but most of all its poetic reflections on our imperfect and lonely city.

Remember The Night is showing at nightly at 8 p.m. from March 3 - 14 at 290 McDermot. They have a couple of matinees and PWYC shows. To find out how to reserve tickets, visit their website.

Hindsight is 2010

Let me state for the record that I am not generally all rah-rah about the 2010 Olympics. Don't get me wrong, I heart Clara Hughes as much as the next Winnipegger. (I also heart snowboarder and Dancing With The Stars contestant Louie Vito.) But as someone who appreciates the free speech aspect of living in Canada, I was saddened by the fact that, back in November, border officials detained journalist Amy Goodman for ninety minutes, grilling her about whether she would speak about the Olympics.

I am also not generally all rah-rah about McDonald's, for reasons not worth going into here. I just want to note the irony, as I have become totally rah-rah about the McDonald's Happy Meal 2010 Olympic mascot collectibles. There are eight different ones, and each performs a different sport.

My fave is Miga the figure skater. As you wheel her along, she spins. All eight hook together to make a train of Olympic cuteness. I should have started buying them three weeks ago when they were first available. Now the only ones left are Quatchi on the luge, and Sumi playing ice sledge hockey (which I didn't know was a sport).

My big regret is that these little plastic toys, which you could buy for less than 2 bucks if you forego the Happy Meal, are now selling on eBay for $20 each (including shipping). If you were smarter than me and bought the set, you can make a tidy profit online!

Whatever, H+M

Martin Cash at the Winnipeg Free Press reported today that H&M isn't setting up shop at Polo Park. Apparently they are looking for the "perfect location." Seriously? If 40,000 vacant square feet in our biggest mall isn't good enough then forget it. Someone call the good folks at Anthropologie and I'll just window-shop there instead!

Two dates to mark in your calendar

First, mark Sunday, March 21 on your calendar. That's the date of my favorite fundraiser of the year - the annual Over The Top! art auction and cupcake party at MAWA. I love the cheerful buzz as bargain-hungry art-lovers elbow their way past cupcake-laden tables to examine the work and devise their bidding strategies. In past years I've seen photographs by Diana Thorneycroft, prints by tamara rae biebrich and sculpture by Aganetha Dyck. A huge range of artists contribute, from well-known artstars to up-and-comers, so you're bound to fall in love with at least one piece. And with bidding starting at just $50, you can score some serious art deals. A few years ago we sweated out a silent bidding war over a tiny Wanda Koop painting, and emerged triumphant! Our "mini-Koop" now hangs happily in the hall. Over The Top! tickets are $10 and available at 611 Main Street. Or email me and I'll hook ya up.

Drop The Needle is back this month. On February 21, at 7 p.m., you can learn bookbinding from the multi-talented Chantale Maynard. The soundtrack of the evening is provided by organizer and D.J. extraordinaire Mama Cutsworth. See you at the Lo Pub!

Drop that needle, I say! Drop it...

One of my least favorite high school memories is the time I got carded by a mustachioed bouncer at Times Night Club (across from Eaton's). I must've been 17 at the time and probably looked 12. I had my cousin's ID but Mr. Moustache wouldn't buy it (my real driver's license was clearly visible in my open wallet), so I skulked out. The thing I hate about telling this story is admitting that I ever tried to get in to Times. I blame peer pressure.

Anyway, all that to say I am soooo glad that today in Winnipeg there are much better ways to pass a Saturday night. Case in point: Drop The Needle. This new monthly party series is the brainchild of two Winnipeg D-I-Y divas. Artist Kerri-Lynn Reeves and DJ Mama Cutsworth (a.k.a. Sarah Michaelson) want to give crafters and music fans the chance to D-I-T.

The inaugural party is this Saturday, January 30 at the Lo Pub (330 Kennedy Street). The action kicks off at 8 p.m., with a knitting skills workshop led by artist Kristin Nelson. After that, you can work on your own project while DJ Co-op provides your crafting soundtrack.

According to Sarah, the whole idea is to give creative Winnipeggers an excuse to get out. "Folks from the prairies know that you need to pass the frosty winters with creativity; unfortunately, that usually means hiding away for eight months and knitting in front of the TV every night. Drop The Needle provides crafter types a social environment in which to cultivate handcrafted skills like knitting, embroidery, beading, collage and origami, with a live, hand-spun soundtrack from Winnipeg’s best DJs."

There will be lamps so you can actually see what you're doing, and yes, there will be dancing! Admission is 5 bucks and you are guaranteed to have much more fun than you ever had at Times.

In the spirit of Oseola McCarty

We Cheaperthans are big fans of frugality, but just to be clear, by frugality we do not mean stinginess. Oseola McCarty was frugal, but she wasn't stingy. If you haven't heard her story yet, you've got to check it out. She was a washerwoman in Mississipi who saved her whole life, and donated $150,000 to an endowment fund at her local university so poor students wouldn't have to work as hard as she did. Amazing.

Also amazing: the amount of money individual Canadians have donated to the Haitian relief effort - $82 million. The aid agencies encourage cash donations as the quickest and most effective way to help. If you're like me, and feel the need to do something in addition to donating money, you can also put together a relief kit for the Mennonite Central Committee. The relief kits include basics like toothbrushes, towels, soap and bandages. Fill up a bag and deliver it to an MCC drop-off location by February 28.

And heck, if you're a crafter (or a hoarder) in a giving mood, another organization to keep in mind is Arts Junktion. They collect art supplies for schools. So rather than dumping your stash of fabric and buttons in the landfill, box it up and take it to their new location at 312b William Avenue.

McNally is back from the brink

That was quick. McNally has emerged from bankruptcy protection in one piece. Well, two pieces - the Grant Park and Saskatoon stores. Time to run over and pick up the current issue of Canadian Dimension. As I discovered from Winnipeg O' My Heart, the Jan./Feb. issue is dedicated to our favorite city. A few of the articles are available online, including one that takes a crack at answering that eternal question of "exactly how a city like this — with its flotillas of mosquitos, its blistering cold, its malignant racism — ever managed to turn itself into a cultural product sought out by the wider world."

Of course Guy Maddin gets a mention, which brought to mind a Letter From Winnipeg that Guy wrote for CBC.ca a few years ago - also worth a read, especially for those expat Winnipeggers nostalgic for a stroll down Corydon.

Getting my Tar-zhay hopes up

It's sad, but I get a rush of retail adrenaline every time I hear a favorite U.S. chain might hop across the 49th parallel. This morning I came across the headline Target is coming to Canada. (I should make that the name of my blog, I bet I would get a zillion hits.) Sadly the story doesn't offer the concrete detail I was anticipating. For example, I would have liked to read that Target is opening an outlet in the old Safeway space at Polo Park. Or even that Target is starting to ship to Canada. Instead, all it says is that Target is considering opening stores in Canada three years from now. (While I'm complaining, let me also note that the writer used the irritating cliché "untimely death" which makes you wonder whether there is such a thing as a "timely death.") Anyway, I guess I will return to Plan A: booking a hotel in Grand Forks.

Winnipeg stuff to getsy on Etsy

As you can tell, I'm a big fan of online shopping -- it appeals to my penchant for multitasking. Right now for example the (new!) washing machine is laundering, the baby is sleeping, the Roomba is Roomba-ing and I'm blogging. Four gerunds at once, very satisfying.

That's why I love Etsy. At naptime, I'm checking out the craft porn, and discovering new DIY project ideas. I'm also using the shop local feature to support local talent (and save on shipping!). Here are some of my favorite Winnipeg Etsy-ers:

Kiddlebug - creations for kids How can you not like this little doll ($35 USD), especially when you find out her name is Halle and she loves riding her bike and does not like dog kisses? Kiddlebug also makes pillowcases and onesies. And she takes custom orders, so you can order a doll that looks like someone you know. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Cutest wedding gift ever!


Tigers and Dragons I grew up watching and listening to my mom and lola and nanan during their regular mah-jongg sessions, so I couldn't resist these necklaces with mah-jongg tile pendants. I got one for my BFF, my sister, mom, and tita - each with a different symbol. Just $15 USD, chump change for a serious player.


Heavens Earth I'm a sucker for small-scale art, like this painting on canvas from Heavens Earth. Only $30 USD! The artist, Serena Wilson Stubson, also sells prints for $12 USD.


The Cotton Cupcake Shoppe More places should make and sell chocolate brown onesies ($16 USD), especially with blue bird appliques. The white ones are serviceable, but they aren't very forgiving of squash spills. Or avocado mush. Or any food of color.


COGnitive Creations There's something intriguing about the hardware jewelry by this Winnipeg library worker. It's literate, inventive, and a tiny bit ominous. Part Jules Verne, part Stephenie Meyer, part J.K. Rowling. Each piece looks like it's made for a particular person - possibly someone you know. (The Emulating Robot Artful Hardware Locket Pendant - $85 USD)

Marathon 1981 This little critter ($36 USD) reminds me of the woodland characters in Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr. Fox. (You should see the movie if you haven't already - it's beautiful to look at, and funny). Marathon 1981 makes prairie dogs, barn owls, monsterrabbits and walruses as well.

Jill Zurzolo So much better than a Bratz doll. This little rice bag doll is named Emeline ($30 USD). She loves making tree forts and playing in mud puddles. You can tell she's made by a mom - she is baby proof and washable!

H & M may or may not be coming to town

Two different stories about H & M caught my attention today. The first was a radio update on the trendy retailer's plans to set up shop in Winnipeg. I'd heard there would soon be an H & M at Polo Park, and was excited about the prospect of picking up more made-in-Romania short-sleeved blouses and casual blazers. (They have some awesome baby clothes and maternity wear as well). Alas, today's CBC story says it's not a done deal. According to the H & M spokeswoman: "We can't really confirm or deny an opening."

You can't blame her for being a little wiggly with the media. H & M was scrambling last week to deal with a major fashion faux pas. A New York Times story suggested the store was deliberately razoring unsold clothes and trashing them. After the story was published, people Twittered in outrage, and H & M announced it will stop destroying new clothing and donate unsold merchandise to charity instead.

Good plan in theory but in practice maybe not the best solution. H & M can be Hit & Miss. For example: this season's floral-print short shorts and lime-striped elastic-waisted miniskirts? Charities might want to take a pass.

Free Wintertainment

It's -42 degrees with the wind chill. Everything is closed. A perfect day to stay inside and watch some free Winnipeg-made programming.

Less Than Kind: I have a soft spot for this sitcom, not just because "One Great City!" is the theme song, and not just because it uses the iconic Confusion Corner traffic sign as its logo. It presents a world populated by characters who are all flawed and funny and likeably unlikeable, against a backdrop of Winnipeg in all her slushy working-class beauty. Episode 7 is a personal fave - where else in prime time would you hear a Jewish teenager make a speech in Tagalog? Season Two launches soon - so this is a good time to catch up on Season One episodes - all available for free online!

The Big Snit: Even if you haven't watched this nine-minute animation by Richard Condie in 25 years, I bet you can still quote lines from it. "Stop shakin' yer eyes!" Definitely worth watching again.

Souvenirs: Filmmaker Paula Kelly created these three short films during a stint as artist-in-residence at the City of Winnipeg Archives. I especially like Waiting for the Parade for its shots of girls doing cartwheels on sapling-lined streets.

The Weakerthans videos: Start with Our Retired Explorer - for a taste of Manitoba's big chill without leaving your cosy living room. Don't know which is cuter, John K. Samson's handlebar moustache or the stuffed penguin.

Archie and His Friends: Do you remember rushing home from school to watch Uncle Bob and Archie Wood at lunchtime? Those were the days, before Treehouse on Demand, PVRs and ADD.

My Winnipeg trailer: A two-minute taste of Guy Maddin's weirdly wonderful homage to Winnipeg.