Santa was all a-glow at this year’s annual Spins & Needles Craft-mas installment  in Ottawa two weeks ago…likely because he  saw all the little elves cranking out some holiday goodness for all the good boys and girls on his list!

It was a crazy packed Friday party night, with people anxious to get their DIY holiday on, with wreaths, ornaments and finger puppets being furiously whipped up before the clock struck 12(30ish). The halls were definitely decked while DJs Jason Pelletier and Meterman spun some yuletide beats.

Special thanks to Vertigo Records for providing some sweet swag for our raffle, and Local Tourist Ottawa for the write-up on the event.

Here’s some highlights from the night, with the full Flickr set here.  Instructions for the retro wreath can be found here, and there’ll be instructions for LED holiday ornaments and holiday finger puppets in the next couple of posts!

Retro-inspired holiday wreath instructions found here.

We’re not sure who the purple guy is, we think it’s a moustached elf…

DJ Meterman on the decks

These guys were getting ready to build a treehouse we think…

Lucky winner of the Vertigo hoodie – plus it was her birthday night out!

This is our last Spins & Needles party for the year, but not to fear, we’ll be back with some more awesome programming in the new year!

Don’t forget our call for submissions to the Winterlude Urban Cozy Project – the perfect way to spend some downtime you have during the week, especially if you’re stuck in your house due to cold weather or trying to avoid the malls altogether!

See you in 2010, when we’ll be celebrating Spins & Needles 5-year anniversary with lots of great programming!

First up, the fabulous light displays in each of the three cities.

Well it’s that time of year again… our annual holiday edition is here! Get in the holiday spirit and get those handmade gifts ready at this month’s installment.

When: Thursday November 26th @ 8:00p.m. onwards
Where: Montgomery Legion Hall (330 Kent St. @ Somerset St. W)
Cover: $8 – includes access to all materials and instructions.

DJs: DJs Jason Pelletier + Sir K + Phunktokta will hit the decks throughout the night spinning some jackin’ house, funk and other assorted beats.

Projects: Handmade holidays! Whip up some practical gifts, decorations and other stuff to avoid the last minute rush!

Info: http://www.spinsandneedles.com/upcomingevent.htm

And…Watch the blog too for some upcoming tutorials on how to make some nifty holiday items!

So if you’re getting that itch to start your holiday shopping, here’s some local Ottawa sales taking place in the next few weeks that feature art, craft and the handmade. Hit up these places for one of a kind gifts and at the same time, you get to support your local artists and crafters.

• Craftalicious takes place on Saturday November 14 from 10:00-5:00 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Hall (217 First Ave.) It will feature a mish mash of everything from gourmet goodies to jewellery to children’s items to tarot readings to piano playing.

• The Glebe Community Centre (175 Third Ave.) presents an a Craft and Artisan Fair from Friday November 13 to Sunday November 15. It will feature the handmade works of over 50local  artisans.

• The Ottawa Potter’s Guild is holding their 2009 Fall Sale at the Hellenic Banquet Centre (1315 Prince of Wales Drive) from Thursday November 12 to Sunday November 15 (check the website for details). As the most comprehensive sale of pottery in the region, it will functional and decorative pieces by over 70 potters.

• SKETCH is Galerie SAW Gallery’s (67 Nicholas St.) ever popular holiday fundraiser, is the ideal place to buy affordable and original works of art for your lovers, friends and family. The event is on Friday November 27 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. If you want to submit a piece to be included in the show, there’s still time: the deadline for receipt of works is Tuesday November 24th. Spins & Needles is teaming up with the Gallery to present an activity at SKETCH this year – think sketchwork meets photobooth. Stay tuned for more news!

• Patrick Gordon Framing (160 Elm St.) presents Idle Hands on Sunday November 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., a unique holiday gift sale of local handmade items, “something for everyone, naughty and nice”. Admission is $2.00

• 101 Frames is Gallery 101‘s (301 1/2 Bank St) largest annual fundraiser, and for this year’s silent art auction and party, local and regional artists will interpret and incorporate the second deadly sin of pride. It takes place on Saturday December 5th. There’s also still time to participate in the show: frames are available for pick up until November 21st.

• Ladyfest Ottawa Tarts ‘N Crafts well-known craft sale takes place Saturday December 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Jack Purcell Community Centre (320 Elgin St.) Expect lots of hip, one of a kind items and edgy wares from crafters from Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and more. Spins & Needles will be there with new items by yours truly and our popular craft kits – watch for our booth!

Apartment613 also has a great post on some other sales happening in the next few weeks.

If there’s any other sale you’d like to include, feel free to leave a comment or send me an e-mail!

Flickr image from Julie K in Taiwan  

Can you believe it’s November already? That means planning for the holidays!

If you’re on the lookout for some gifts, decorations or other fabulous ideas to whip up for the upcoming season, check out the site Sew Mama Sew and their Handmade Holidays III series. Each day during the month of November, they’ll feature crafty + DIY ideas from around the web just in time for the holidays (but many can be whipped up any time of the year).

After browsing the site, you will definitely get inspired.

Many thanks to the ladies at Sew Mama Sew who featured one of my tutorials on November 2nd: How To Make a Stencilled Flower Vase!