Have you by any chance noticed a sudden resurgence in the popularity of facial hair?  It can only mean.... It's Movember (the month formerly known as November)!!

   Over the next few weeks, those mo's you've been spotting are only going to get more obscene.  Movember is when men all around the globe grow their moustaches and raise money for men's health, specifically prostate cancer.  The idea began in Australia in 2003 and has since spread to nine countries around the world.  By my professional opinion, I would say that it has become particularily virulent in Canada!   

  

   We think this is a fantastic event, both fun and effective.  Apparently the Canadian Movember campaign is now only second in size to the original Australian movement!  And all the money raised from Movember Canada goes directly to Prostate Cancer Canada, fueling cancer research and helping to fund treatment options and support services for those battling prostate cancer.
  

   So...want to get involved? 

   Andrew is growing a moustache behind that cookie, and we would love it if you supported the cause.  For every $5 you donate through Andrew's pledge page, you will be entered into draw for a Steveston Cookie Company gift basket!

  Follow the link below to donate!  Be sure to fill in your name and a correct email address that we can reach you with.  The email address does not show up on the pledge page after you donate, but it does get emailed to Andrew so that we are able to contact you later. 

  Every little bit helps, and aside from helping a great cause, you might win a sweet treat for yourself as well :)  Thanks for all the support!!!
http://ca.movember.com/mospace/1144848/

-Andrew and Mika

     Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  We started our Thanksgiving celebrations on Sunday with a fantastic final Steveston Farmers Market for 2010.  Our classic turkey cookies disappeared early in the day and we hope that their recipients enjoyed them thoroughly!  Gobble gobble! 

       Thanks again to everyone for your support of our little cookie business.  It means a lot to us when you come visit us at the markets and follow our activity on our website, Facebook and Twitter.  Your enthusiasm for what we are doing drives our creativity and inspires us to create new products and designs.  Thank you!

     Speaking of inspirations, have you noticed all of the adorable owls and owl motifs that are popping up everywhere in home decor, fashion, and jewellery?  I sure have!  Just walking through Steveston Village the other day had me wanting to empty out my wallet on these funny little birds.  In particular, the window at A Monkey Tree caught my eye with owls adorning tea towels and other kitchen goodies.  http://www.amonkeytree.com/

     I also saw some owl friends in the window at Violet Hill Clothing boutique and in the change room when I was trying on a gorgeous blouse.  Apparently, the owl clothes hooks in there come from one of my other absolute favourite shops in Steveston, Nikaido, which carries all things beautiful and delightful. http://violethillclothing.blogspot.com/

    Further afield from Steveston, in Gastown, I always stop for an ogle at Parliament-- an uber-stylish, yet surprisingly affordable shop for all things modern and cool for the home.  'Parliament' it turns out, is not only where our government does their business, but also the term for a group of owls.  So of course, Parliament the shop is full of owl motifs, statues and other treats. http://www.parliamentinteriors.com/

    A friend of mine, talented photographer and jewellery maker Rubina Mangat, also loves owls and made me a gorgeous necklace that features a silver owl whose belly holds one of her amazing photos.  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Whisper-Photography-Jewels/187239068023?v=photos#!/photo.php?fbid=271629138023&set=a.187262848023.129358.187239068023

     With this owl trend growing rapidly, I couldn't wait to try out owl cookies.  The result, I think, is funny and adorable.  I was actually giggling a little as I put the finishing touches on these silly birds. Aren't they just a hoot?  No wonder these little guys are becoming so popular!   

And now off to prepare a different sort of bird for Thanksgiving dinner: Round Two!  Thanks again for all of your support :)

- Mika

About a year ago, one of our fantastic fans and supporters, quilt designer extraordinaire, Dougal Walker, had the brilliant idea that we could probably turn a square cookie into a quilt block. 

Now, I am ashamed to admit that I have a lovely sewing machine gathering dust in the corner of my closet.  I also have several pairs of expensive jeans that have sat next to that sewing machine for over a year waiting to be shortened the extra foot or so that will enable me to actually wear them.  
 

While my sewing skills (or lack thereof) leave much to be desired, Dougal can turn fabric into artful wall hangings and other decorative pieces full of beauty and imagination.  So for our cookies she kindly introduced me to quilting magazines that show traditional and contemporary quilt blocks for inspiration... and inspired I was!  I had a blast trying to turn fabric into icing once again (the first time being the tartan cookies we created almost a year ago) and the quilters at the Quilt Show recognized my cookies were quilt blocks which was exciting.  

The Designer Quilt Show at Tanglebank Gardens was a lovely introduction to the world of quilting.  The sun shone all day and the amazing quilts were displayed throughout the gardens.  We had fun talking to visitors about quilts and cookies, and enjoyed the company of a delightful orange cat named Mr. Tubbs.  All in all, a fantastic day. 

If you want to check out Tanglebank Gardens we hear they have an amazing Christmas display in their stylish gift shop.  http://tanglebank.com/

If you want to try your hand at quilting, or if you just want to learn more about Dougal Walker and her beautiful quilts, her designer label is "The Freckles Collection."  http://frecklescollection.com

Our next Steveston Farmers Market is on September 26th... hopefully it isn't as rainy as it was this week!  We are taking orders for Thanksgiving, so if you want to make sure you have turkey cookies for your Thanksgiving table place settings, get your orders in now -- there are no minimums if you pick up at a future market (Sept 26th or October 10th Thanksgiving). 

-Mika