Skating

It hasn't been all eating and computer play during my holiday. I've been skating! See my technique, above? I'm pretty sure that I'm just setting up for a triple axel.


I'm actually pretty proud of myself. I haven't really skated in years because skates hurt my feet (bunions) so much! But last year I got some new, wider skates that fit with my orthotics inside. They felt great! I live right across the street from an arena -- and there is free skating on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Anyone care to join me?
(yes, that's Lauren beside me in the lower photo. Mr B and I and his son went for a skate in London and guess who else was there> Lauren and her dad and her sisters! So I got to skate around a bit holding hands with my baby! Thanks mom for coming to photograph the event!

Why I can't work at home

aka -- why I haven't lost weight.

Here is my day:
7 am - Get up, watch the news on tv while drinking tea.
7:30 am - Eat cereal while reading Sunday's newspaper(I'm a bit behind)
8:00 am - Have a shower
8:30 am - check my email, google reader, yada yada yada....
10:00 - OMG, it's 10:00! Well, that's snack time.... eat clementine while reading list of things to do......
10:30 - get to work on some fabric collages....
11:00 - take a break, eat some ginger bread, sip a tea... while reading google reader...
11:45 -- OMG, it's almost noon! Better have lunch....
12:30 - where was I on those fabric collages???......
1:00 - I think that it's time for more gingerbread and a tea.....
1:30 - downstairs to sew.... wait I forgot something upstairs..... get distracted, read some email.... mmm.... gingerbread...... and some more blog catching up..... wait... wasn't I in the middle of something? Oh, right, sewing...... go downstairs and then remember what I went upstairs for, but I must stop to make a tea....
3:00 - sew for a few minutes, get bored, wander upstairs and remember that there are some chips in the cupboard...... pour some chips into a bowl, pour a glass of grapefruit juice and settle in front of the computer. So that's where I am now. In front of the computer with my grapefruit juice. Chips long gone. I think that I've done about 30 minutes of work. So if you are wondering what I do all day when I'm not at work, this shows a typical day. Computer and food. I be happy.

My new favorite iPad app!

Flipboard! it makes Facebook look like a beautiful magazine! I am so hooked.....


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

On the go blogging....

I'm working on blogging from my iPad!
This is a picture of Ray on the beach, edited in some app that I have called Photopad....


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Happy Christmas!

(this is my tree this year. It's about 4 feet tall and sits on top of bookshelves in the corner of my living room. It adds height to the room, and keeps the dog away from my favourite ornaments.)

Making Christmas

I've been baking and sewing and wrapping and embellishing. I'm pooped! Time for a rest! Happy Christmas Eve!

Day 12 Hello Snowman!

This adorable snowman is from Cindy.
I LOVE jar snowmen!! Actually, I think that she is a woman!

Day 11 -- Merry Merry!

Day 11 is from Jennifer. I always covet her work! She lives in Vancouver so I don't get to go to any of the craft shows that she is at. But luckily she joined our exchange this year! I love my necklace and my pin! I won't be taking them off for the next few days, I'm sure!

Day 10

Day 10's gift is from Nicolette. What a wonderful ornament! I love vintage collage.......

Secret Santa Ornament

Natalie Kalbach organized a Secret Santa Ornament Exchange.

My partner, Sherry (in Australia) has received hers so I can show you what I sent!

(there is a fabric house ornament, a cd in that doily tree package, some little maple candies, some punched aluminum stars and a heart, and a "few of my favourite things" paper pack)

And I got mine from Sandra in Austria! (I think that it was Austria -- the envelope was a bit beat up so I couldn't read any of the return address info! I don't even have Sandra's last name -- but hopefully Natalie will send it to me and Sandra's email or blog shortly so I can thank her)
She sent me some yummy goodies from Austria -- including Kinder Chocolate, some Mozart Truffles, wafers, and 2 ornaments -- a cool tree made from brown paper (looks like gingerbread with the "icing" on it) and a beautiful ornament made from strips of transparencies. I've made these before from paper, but the transparency idea is brilliant! AND my mom's Christmas theme this year is "A Noteworthy Christmas" so she is using black and white with music notes and written notes, so this will be lent to her for her tree! (um... the kinder chocolate didn't make it to the photo.... it made it to my mouth though!!



Sandra also sent me a beautiful card.... um, I haven't made cards this year... bad martha!

Day 9

Day 9 was from Kim -- The Queen of Arts!


Under the glass bauble it says "be brave" . This is quite meaningful as I just created a journal page that says "you are braver than you think".

I'll be putting this heart on my bedside table!

Day 8

Day 8 in our 12 Days of Christmas Swap was Heather. I didn't want to open it because I LOVE the wrapping paper. And the tag was wonderful!


Inside was an altered composition book. This is perfect timing for me because my current one is full. I use composition books as my journal. It is great for listmaking and gluing things into. And that's what a journal is, for me......


I'm going to use the tag as a bookmark in the journal! Thank you so much, Heather!!!

12 Days of Christmas

I am so far behind with everything right now. School ended on Friday and then I had a little winter solstice gathering on Sunday. Now I can relax for a week! And catch up on everything.

This year I'm participating in the Canadian Chickies 12 Days of Christmas swap. I'm a bit behind in the postings.
Here are Days 1-7!
Day 1: Arlene made us each leather cuffs with some hammered wire detail. I wore mine to school every day last week (after I opened it). Arlene! It is perfect!


Day 2: Brittni made us little books with a tiny turtle dove tucked inside!


Day 3: Mar made us each beautiful tree magnet and a personalized mini painting. The magnet totally coordinates with my fridge (how did you do that, Mar?).


I have the painting right beside my computer. See love birds on a branch -- aren't they so sweet?
Day 4: Kathryn made matchbox shrine necklaces for us. She knows that I love the water, so she made mine in watery colours with shells and fish on it. Inside there is a piece of net and a crystal for wishing.


Day 5 : me!
I sent my Joy banners! Have a joyful holiday!


Day 6: Sabina made little winter fairies in jars. She looks perfect with my winter display in my living room. (I cannot get a good picture of this -- my camera just WILL NOT focus on the inside of the jar....)
Day 7: Dawn made each of us personalized vintage hang -ups and crystalized key necklaces. I have the hanging in my entranceway already!!!!The necklace says "eclectic chickie" on it -- that really sums me up, doesn't it?

ornaments

I puttered around and played a bit today. Instead of writing (and mailing) some Holiday cards, we played with polymer clay. It's nice to put to use some of the knowledge that I learned in a class! (Laurie Mika's polymer clay class at ArtUnraveled in August).


I think that these will be nice additions to a wrapped gift -- or maybe as an embellishment on a cello bag full of cookies?
(the stamps are all from The Old Island Stamp Company except for the star -- that is Stampin Up, I think)

m-is-for-monster!

Today I am at the Movies and Makers Show at the Fox Theatre in the Beach (2236 Queen Street East in Toronto)

I'm selling lots of ornaments!
Some are pretty:(sorry about the indoor shots -- it's cold and dark outside lately by the time I get home)

Some are cute:
Some are scary:(aren't these just the cutest little monsters ever?)

I'm selling some cuffs:
and I'm also selling my JOY banners!
See you there !
(10:30am-5:30pm)
(I'll also be putting some of these in my etsy shop within the next few days)