IKEA Then & Now Exhibit

Me on the cover of a mock catalogue. Ikea models usually don't look at the camera.

IKEA Canada is celebrating its 40th birthday with a special "Then and Now Exhibit" at the Design Exchange.

The exhibit includes a short history of Ingvar Kamprad story - the entrepreneur who started IKEA in Smaland, Sweden in the 1950s.  Some early products of  his mail order business are on display, including socks and Christmas cards.

There four "rooms" on display.   Below is the dining room, the focus is the pine furniture which was unique to IKEA.

There is a large wall of IKEA catalogue covers from the past 40 years. Below is just half the display.

IKEA came to Canada in the early 70s.  Do you remember the Viking and the Moose?

The exhibit also includes a few of the toys from IKEA's line for children.

Of course the mice!

At the end of the exhibit, a giant ball pit awaits.

What is your favourite IKEA product? 

The FRAKTA shopping bag is one of mine!

Thanks for stopping by!

Ukelele Case

This year, both my daughters are in ukulele club and required a case for their ukuleles.   I found a very well written pattern on Etsy by SusieDDesigns. This pattern requires several notions - a zipper, fusible fleece, interfacing and four yards of seam binding.  The binding was the most time consuming part  - I ripped out my stitches several times as it was very difficult to sew on the machine.  Next time I will stitch the binding on to the main fabric before assembling the bag and then hand stitch in place. That being said, I am glad I persevered.  This was a very useful project.  The girls have been using these cases for a couple of weeks now and they work perfectly!

Fabric Above - Grroovy Guitars by Michael Miller

 I didn't have enough fusible fleece for the case pictured above, so I used some left over batting and quilted it between the front and lining.  This step added to the project time, but worked fine. 

Did you follow America's Got Talent over the summer? My girls love Grace. She has inspired so many to take up the ukulele.    This year, our school's ukulele club has over 80 students. I am looking forward to their first performance. 

Happy crafting!