Layered, Tattered, Stitched

Ruth's new book is finally here -- and I LOVE it!!!! If you like fabric collage, you'll love Ruth's book. If you ever get a chance to take a class from Ruth, take the class! I have taken fabric and jewelry classes from Ruth and she is a fabulous teacher
Ruth is teaching at ArtUnraveled in Phoenix, next August, which has registration open NOW -- I'm taking "The Journey" from her (I hope, if my registration gets there in this busy holiday season) I'm going to be highlighting the classes that I'm taking over the next few weeks. I vowed only to take fabric and jewelry classes, but I'm not :)

Kindle!

I am SO excited that the Kindle is now available in Canada (you said it would never happen) WooHoo!! Check it out on Amazon.com -- You can't get it yet on Amazon.ca -- but now you can order it from the US and now you can load it up here too! I am definitely getting one after Christmas! It comes to about $311. 00 US (including shipping and customs fees) and each book is about 5.99-11.99 US

Why am I so excited? I tried Maija's and It ROCKS! It's not like reading a computer screen -- no glare, and the background is an adjustable grey -- not stark white-- and you can read it outside. I can carry it on the subway, and when I travel.

My talented mother!

Do you remember when I showed my paper doll that I made when I was at my parent's home? Well, lots of people wanted to see my mom's paper dolls. Maybe I didn't want to show them because she would outshine me, did you ever think of that? Well, in the interest of sharing beautiful things, here are my mom's dolls. Aren't they wonderful? They just blow mine out of the water.
As you can see, the backs are just as special as the fronts:I love these girls -- they look like they got into their mother's closet and are playing dress up!Not a great photograph of Lady Luck, sorry mom.
My mom is going to have the most beautiful tree for her "All dolled up" Christmas!
We have been asked to each bring a doll. I'll likely bring my cloth-paperclay doll if I ever finish her, but I've already sent my Prim Annie!If you have time -- go and look at Nicole's dolls -- they are my favourite Annies on the internet. And she's thinking of quitting making them! Go buy one now! I'd love another one for Christmas! Hint hint.

It's a Holly Jolly Christmas!

Today was the Santa Claus Parade here in Toronto. It is now officially the holiday season here. I'm playing Christmas music and making ornaments.. WooHoo!

I've decided to do a small Christmas show here in Toronto this year. Mark your calendars!

An Extraordinary Jolly Christmas Sale!
Saturday December 5th
10am-4pm
Swansea Town Hall
95 Lavinia Avenue
Toronto

I will be introducing my new "line" of Christmas ornaments. I'm considering this a test market. You might see them at the One of a Kind Show next year! I will also have many of my aluminum ornaments and tags -- and likely some votive holders too. All for a warm and sparkly Christmas season.
If you have any questions about the show, please contact the organizer,
Karen Arts
karen (dot) arts (at) rogers.com

Quilting Arts Gifts

Does anyone know where I can find a copy of Quilting Arts Gifts in Toronto? I've been looking for months.......
(late edit -- Thank you to my wonderful friendHeather in California who found it there for me and sent it to me. I'm still not sure if it ever came to Canada......) (and thank you to Vivian and Colette who offered to track it down in the US for me too!)

El Día de los Muertos

Yes, it is the Day of the Dead, All Saints Day, All Souls Day. The Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated in Mexico (and by Latin Americans living in the United States and Canada). The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. The celebration occurs on November 1st and 2nd in connection with the Catholic holiday of All Saints' Day which occurs on November 1st and All Souls Day which occurs on November 2nd. Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased, using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts.
José Guadalupe Posada created a famous print of a figure that he called "La calavera catrina" ("calavera of the female dandy"), as a parody of a Mexican upper class female. Posada's striking image of a costumed female with a skeleton face has become associated with the Day of the Dead, and Catrina figures often are a prominent part of modern Day of the Dead observances.
I made these fantastic banners for an Altered Art Obsession swap -- I got the images from itkupilli -- check out the store -- she has wonderful digital images. They are very freakish. I am just loving her zombies too.


I'm really enjoying the freedom of being able to just join things when I want, and not having the pressure of someone's book to work in. I had no idea that I was getting so burnt out.

Dolls

You'll likely see quite a few dolls on my blog in the upcoming months. My mom's Christmas theme is "All dolled up" .
At Thanksgiving (Canadian, lol). My mom and I spent an afternoon making paper dolls. Here are my two:
The images are Catherine Moore's Character Construction rubber stamps. They are so fun to work with.

And the winner is......

Well, hold on , I have to light the candles...
then after I blow out my candles,
Ray will pick a name from one of my favourite vintage bowls.....His head is turned the other way, so he's not peeking......Here it is!
Congratulations Jennifer!
Jennifer also has a giveaway happening over at her blog. It is super cool. I really want to win, so maybe you shouldn't go over there and enter. Oh, all right, go on over...... Good Luck!

Etsy Update! Owls!

I've added these super cute owl ornaments to my etsy shop.

Also: you have until 10pm tonight (Wednesday, October 28) (toronto time -- Eastern Standard)
to enter the giveaway below)