Day 183: You Don’t have to Monetize Every Hobby

I’ve loved sewing my whole life. I also have a new sewing machine that I’ve hardly used for about 8 years. I want to sew, but never had the time or made the time to do it. As a kid, I spent heaps of time sewing with mum. I even started my first business in grade 3 sewing gym bags for classmates. Early into quarantine, I took the time to make things for the pure enjoyment of making them. I did heaps of tie-dye, turmeric dye, made friendship bracelets, and practised line drawing on iPad. The art of creating gives me so much joy. It inspires creativity in other areas of my life. I loved sharing the things I made on social media and mailing some to friends. I was reminded you don’t have to monetize every hobby, it’s incredibly freeing to create for the sake of creating. This weekend, I started sewing again. I took a few items of clothing that were ripped or on their way to donations and made a few scrunchies. The big pink ones are a soft rayon fabric and flop when you doa top know. they used to be part of Joe Fresh shirt from years ago that had a mark on it. It was so fun to make them and patch together my old clothes to make new patterns. I spent most the day sewing, listening to music, watching Netflix, and letting my creative juices flow. After posting my creations, I had a few people saying they want to buy or ask where to order. I’m not there yet, I might never be! For now, the Quarantine 2.0 version of me is Casie Sew-Art. I’m back at my machine baby, who knows what I’ll create next!

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Thanks Converse.ca ?✌? New Shoes for Me! New Shoes for You!

In celebration of converse.ca (Welcome to ?? !) they sent an awesome package. The box is an old computer with a lenticular screen, and it’s full of disks. A couple disks have codes for FREE SHOES and I’m sharing then w you. YAY! I gave a pair to Matt @ 1188 to test shipping. Ordered Friday shipped Monday, on his feet Tuesday in TO from Montreal. Every summer I get a new pair of white Converse because after wearing them all summer with no socks, trust me, they’re worn out done.  I’d like a pair of white leather hightops but I also love the little white Dainty. Really feeling the Nike X Flyknit but they only come in mens sizes and my feet are too small. ? The new Converse II  soles are more comfortable. They’re a great summer staple, love them with dresses or jeans, shorts, and rompers. They’re my fav. I have a framed photo of my Andy Warhol converse in my room and another couple pairs tucked away in under bed storage for safe keeping; an Andy Warhol pair and classic Chuck Taylor high tops with my signature on the tongue.  HOW TO WIN? LEAVE A COMMENT! ?? Scroll over to converse.ca, find your fav shoes, and say hi in the comments w/ a link to your fav pair. I’ll pick two people and shoes will be delivered to you anywhere in Canada. Extra points for good manners, jokes, or kind words. GOOD LUCK! ?  

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What a Legend Steve Jobs. You continue to inspire me.

To mark the one-year anniversary of Steve Jobs’ death, Apple replaced their homepage with a tribute video to Steve Jobs and a letter from CEO Tim Cook.The 1-minute, 45-second video on Apple.com features black-and-white still images and quotes from Jobs. “It’s in Apple’s DNA that technology alone is not enough — it’s technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields us the result that makes our heart sing and nowhere is that more true than in these post-PC devices,” Jobs’ voice can be heard saying on the video, a quote taken from the iPad 2 launch in March 2011. My office is all Mac everything and so am I. He changed my life 🙂 This is my FAV Apple video, released in 1997 for the Think DIfferent campaign. Here’s to the crazy ones! <3 CASIE

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The Weekend: Light, Bright

The moon is very bright tonight, the lake is full of light.

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Don’t forget it.

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Dreams, Films, Marriage, Comedy, Crop Tops, & Waterfalls

Hello & happy Friday! I’m at 1188 Films doin’ some work today. I had the weirdest dream last night. I documented it in audio when I woke up. I hope you enjoy it. He is in Toronto in September, it must be a sign. New episode of my show on Coral actually comes out Friday next week (my bad!) and then one each week thereafter. Here’s a screenshot of me wearing a crop top I made from an Epilogger shirt. DIY FTW. I was also reminded of this wonderful jam this morning and it’s been stuck in my head for hours. Guess what? YOU CAN HAVE IT NOW! Have an awesome day!

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Here the ship sailed out into the blue and sunny morn…

The sweetest sight ever seen.

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I named him Isaac, after Newton.

Who?! A new someone… Isaac Newton joins Andy Warhol & James Dean as the important units in my life, my computers. Why Isaac? He’s  “considered by many to be the greatest and most influential scientist who ever lived.” I’ve named one after an artist, one after an actor and I wanted to name this one after a scientist. Newton talked about  universal gravitation, laws of motion, the universe, attraction and I’m into that. I name my gadgets after inspiring men in history because I spend so much time with them. Technologic boyfriend. They fuel my creativity. Computers are boys names, cameras are girls. Thanks Dell. I’m not used to using a PC even though I’ve only been Mac for less than a year. Time flies eh? Started a new sketchbook and working on some creative ideas for the year. Have an Ultrabook, tips, or any questions about the device? LMK.  I’m ready to test it to it’s fullest and compare it to my darling little Macbook Air. Tomorrow I’m giving away those Palladium shoes to some lovely young lady so if you have small feet and would like to me send them to you, leave a comment on the post here. I’ll send them to anyone in the world but will pay for shipping anywhere in North America. 🙂 Spending the night at home w/ Keri Blog, blogging, watching movies and drinking the Sapporo beer I had a few vouchers for.  I’m hoping we don’t dip into the tequila that was delivered today but y’never know! Have an awesome day.

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MASS EXODUS, 3F, PEACOCK PARADE SALE & GAGA

Hallo & guten morgen! I woke up earlier than my alarm, reckon that’s a true sign of a happy life. Lots to do this week! OK, LEGGGGGGGO! Thursday is MASS EXODUS the annual fashion show put on by Ryerson University’s School of Fashion. I attended the show in 2010 wich featured a rad performance by Fritz Helder. This year I’m working with one of the sponsors, 3F and I’ll be attending Thursday for media night. Promo video for Ryerson’s MASS EXODUS 2012: Today I get to see all those photos from the super professional shoot I had last week w/ Adrian Fiebig. I’m pretty stoked. Planned a new tattoo I’m getting Friday, y’know, Friday the 13th. I used to hate the day until I took charge and got a tattoo I loved one fine Friday the 13th many moons ago (story here). It was way back when I had no tattoos on my arms at all. Well, that’s never gonna happen again! New tattoo goes with Sailor Jerry sleeve theme and there’s a heart and a girl involved. SWORN TO SECRECY! Ok, jk, it’s kinda like this. This afternoon I’m heading to the fashionable Burroughes Building at 639 Queen St. The Peacock Parade and their event partners, Foxy Originals, Luved Clothing and This Is J. Have you checked out Peacock Parade before? I’m just about to make my very first purchase! The company is a Toronto based startup that offers different sales each day on really, really nice designer items. Looking good is feeling good baby! Deets on the Peacock Parade Pop-up Shop: Remember how excited the world was when this game out? I’m feeling Gaga inspired today so I just watched it again. Have fun with it stuck on your head ALL DAY! BTW my Hunger Games obsession has been taken to a new level, I ordered a Mockingjay pendant from Etsy. OBSESSED.…

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Going Home

Older people always tell you ‘time goes fast then’ you get older and you become that person. It’s true. Both things. When I get really drained from life & the city I like going back to my home town. I grew up in Cambridge, Ontario, I went there this weekend. Have you been? It’s quite lovely, and quiet and you can see way more stars. I have a group of friends there that I always see. One even lives across the street in Toronto but I pretty much only get together him when we’re all home for a holiday. It’s awesome. No matter how tired I get from travel, events, work life, nothing reenergizes me like some home cooking and chatting at a familiar place with the crew.  Other great re-energizers are yoga and cottages. This weekend has for once (in a longish while) been really relaxing. Saturday night I had a hot tub and went to bed early. Friday night I had poutine and some serious Draw Something. Add me: casiestewart.  We all get so busy and technology is such a part of our lives that it’s really hard to shut off. Ok not for everyoneeeee but lots of us. Especially me. I’m sitting in my old room at Mum’s as I wrote this and it’s quite magical how inspiring it is for creativity. Tonight her and I went on a date to see Hunger Games and I loved it; girls night AND the actual movie. Have you seen it? The fashion made me really excited for Halloween. Or whenever! Look at those lashes and hair. I love this, I do. Hat gloves, earings, eyebrows, lipstick. I know I’m late to the boat but sheesh, why didn’t anyone inform me of this. There was even love story! The movie used 35 full-time makeup artists. And there were…

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DREAMS WITH SHARP TEETH

Morning! I’ve been added as a speaker to a second panel during Social Media Week and this one is probably the most personal talk I’ve even agreed to take part in. It’s about to get deep, we’re talking ANXIETY. One of the things that gives me the most anxiety and possibly you too, is not having money. I’ve gone through lots of ups & downs in my life and I don’t come from money so all I have, is all I’ve earned. When I returned from Australia I was so skinny from living on next to nothing I looked like Nicole in her anorexic days, not by choice. It’s hard to carve out a way to get paid for what you love doing. Especially as a creative person. Last summer I wrote a post about how you can’t pay me in chips or chocolate bars. I got sick and tired of people asking me to do work for them in return for things I don’t need. What would I do with a bunch of chips & chocolate? I go to the gym for a reason! Helloooooo. If they (whoever is asking) are getting a paycheque and are asking me to do work, I should get paid too. You wouldn’t believe some of the extreme things I get asked to to in return for ‘publicity’. I turn down way more than I accept. (That’s not to say I don’t love getting a few freebie’s along the way!) Lauren posted this video that’s an excerpt from an upcoming documentary on Harlan Ellison, “DREAMS WITH SHARP TEETH“. He’s an excellent writer and inspiring man. I’m sure you will enjoy it. My startup disk is full so I’ll be spending the afternoon moving TO THE CLOUD. Have a spectacular day. It’s lovely & sunny in Toronto 🙂

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Have Confidence in Your Business

Watched this talk last night by Mike Monteiro about being a person who works in the business of being creative. He talks about relationship building and uses good language. The start is amusing and I learned a few things. I drew on iPad while he was talking. He brings in his lawyer, who is quite insightful. Especially when it comes to how to take care of client service contracts as a small business. Sounds boring but it’s not. I watched the whole thing. Having a business lawyer like Weisblatt Law Firm can really help expand and build on your business in the best way possible with sorting out legalities. If the person you are working with has their lawyer on the call, you should have yours. 2011/03 Mike Monteiro | F*ck You. Pay Me. from San Francisco Creative Mornings I like when he says ” I would like designers to stop being bottoms, realize the power you have in the relationship”. (You’ll enjoy that part I’m sure.) I love listening to entrepreneurs talk. It’s like candy for your brain. At the end he says something that I say to you and myself like, errrrrrrry day. Go do something awesome.

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THERE’S NOTHING WE CAN’T DO

I want a balloon tree. I always have. The Balloon Tree by Phoebie Gilman was one of my favourite books as a child. We used to read heaps of books. Each summer Jenie and I would join the Summer Reading Club at the Preston library. I spent so much of my childhood at that place. I was either there, the dance studio, or gymnastics. I’m pretty sure I had my first reading by Robert Munsch at the Preston library.  I remember meeting Phoebie Gilman and having my photo taken with her. Authors were my celebrities back then.  When I wrote ‘Jeans: an anthology of poetry & prose‘ in 1996 we had our book launch there. We sold over 80 books that night and one dollar from the sale of each went to the Women’s Crisis Shelter.  It was a magical night. I’l never forget how good it feels sitting there signing your own book for a lineup of people. I’ve been (slowly) working on another  book. Write more, read more, that’s what I keep telling myself. I’m a big believer in the power of positive thought and a few things I’ve been thinking about lately are libraries and speaking. Not necessarily together but in general. The crazy thing is, I got an email from Marketing Magazine asking me to speak at an event next month and guess where it is? A LIBRARY. My favourite library in the city, Toronto Reference. We’re talking youth culture and the founder of VICE Magazine will also be there talking about The Creators Project between Vice & Intel. I’ve been a Vice fan for about ten years and have a diploma in marketing so this is all quite exciting. THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN’T DO. The Creators Project is really cool and well, CREATIVE. “I have…

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What time is it?

Time to get up. Time to get off the couch. Time to pick up the phone and make that call. Time to start living. Time to start loving. Time to make that list of things you want to accomplish and not let anything get in the way. Time to let go. Time to take abreak. Time to make a move. Time to sit back and relax. Time to do something. Time to break free. You’ve  got the whole world in your hands.

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