Sunday, January 29, 2012

My thoughts on report cards....


I've never uploaded an animated gif before. Oh the things that you get accomplished while you are procrastinating.........

(note to self -- you have to copy image location and then paste into the upload image from the web button)(because I won't remember this next time)

Saturday, January 28, 2012

ArtUnraveled

I just realized that I didn't pick names for my ArtUnraveled giveaway. I had the Lovely Miss L pick the numbers -- she chose 1 and 4. That is Joanne and Natalea! There are some surprises coming to you both :)

This is a picture of what Joanne is teaching at AU -- Hello Dollies!


I heard from Linda -- the Organizer of the retreat. I got into all of my first choices. Yay! Some spots are filling up. Some of Deryn's classes are full so I might not be able to add a class when I get there. Yikes! and Congratulations, Deryn!

If you are thinking of going, consider Angie's class:
Up Close and Personal -- it's all about texture!

Link

Friday, January 27, 2012

Five Faves Friday! Children's Animated Movies

I LOVE children's movies. I can watch them over and over and over and over and over.

My five favourite children's movies:

1. Monsters Inc.


2. Toy Story (them all)


3. Wall e


4. Finding Nemo


5. Shrek



I also like The Little Mermaid a lot. But mostly I just like the soundtrack.....

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Full Disclosure

So, on Sunday, Mr. B and I went to Ikea. For breakfast, not to shop :) Usually, the breakfast is pretty good here, but the eggs were kind of runny -- not so good for scrambled. But for $4.19 (breakfast for 2!), who's complaining, right?
So, we had to walk through, right? We walked through the showroom parts -- and the whole time I was thinking "Wow, I love my home and I don't need anything else, hurray!". then we went downstairs to the open stock section. Bad idea. They had the CUTEST glassware with little pink or green (or turquoise) flowers on them. Ice cream would be SO LOVELY in the bowls. But I resisted. (and I can't even show them to you because they aren't even online yet). There is currently a lot of pink at Ikea -- it looked so pretty.

Then we walked past the baking section and I saw these:

Cookie cutters -- see the HEDGEHOG ??? and the SQUIRREL ?? and the snail? Too cute!

And a pastry mat too . It's silicone and kind of fun. You're not supposed to use metal cookie cutters on this one.... but we do have lots of plastic ones....

Our pastry mat disappeared when we moved.

So Mr. B -- who also needed a flower pot to repot the Aloe plant that he is bringing to work -- bought the cookie cutters and the pastry mat. He bought them. Not me. Him. Pay no attention to the fact that he has never used cookie cutters before. Or rolled out pastry. He's going to learn. Soon.
Money spent at Ikea: 16.99. His money.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Five Faves Friday! Movies

It is so hard to narrow down the movies to five...

My five favorite movies:


1. High Fidelity


2. Pretty in Pink (or Sixteen Candles?)(I had to go with Duckie)


3. Dead Man (well, really anything with Johnny Depp)(Chocolat, Pirates of the Carribean, the 1st one?)


4. Amelie


5. Groundhog Day


Gross Point Blank likely should have been there too... and Toys. I Linklove those Cusacks... I watched The Sure Thing a few weeks ago, wow, we have all grown up a bit, haven't we? I also really liked Inglorious Basterds and Little Miss Sunshine, Green Card, Edward Scissorhands and What about Bob.... oh, and also Unbreakable, 6th Sense and Fight Club. I can't really narrow this down to five.... I should have categorized this list!

Eclectic, aren't I?

What are your favourite movies? Why?
(And don't forget my giveaway!)

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Go

another day, another card...


I sent this card to my mom and dad. Because this year, we're going to GO!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

divine

Another pretty 2012 card!


2012 has been divine so far ... how is your year going so far?

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Art Unraveled 2012

It's that time of year again! Time to pick my classes for Art Unraveled, which happens at the beginning of August in Phoenix (yes, it is hot there, but the only time I actually leave the hotel is to go to the patio during happy hour :) (and a brief trip or two to Trader Joe's)

And I can't wait to see these super fabulous friends of mine (and to eat Greek Fries!)


and to see Adena, Fran, Angie, Tracey, Lorri, Don, Susan... and Michael :) Can't believe that it's still 7 months away, LOL.

This is my lineup for 2012, assuming that I get into all of the classes....

Tuesday - 10 Objects 10 Ways -- a drawing and watercolour class with Jane LaFazio
Wednesday -- Flower Power -- torch enameling with Melissa Manley
Wednesday Night -- Romantic Buckle with Ruth Rae
Friday -- A Cut Above -- Lino cutting with Pam Carriker
Sunday Evening - Coffee, Tea and Onion Skins -- Dying with Lorri Scott
Monday -- Bench Scraps -- jewelry with Richard Salley

I seriously have been considering Deryn Mentock's Alchemy of Objects... if the class doesn't sell out (it might) I might add it when I get there...

I am also considering Joanne Thieme Huffman's Hello Dollies -- I'm not sure if I want to take an evening class the night before I leave... because I have a very large road trip planned with Mr. B right when I get home!


ANYWAY, in the tradition of past years, I have participated in the 4x4 technique chunky book. I had to make 28, 4x4 pages showcasing a technique that I learned at ArtUnraveled. I decided to make some gelatin monoprints which I learned from Jane Lafazio -- you could take her class this year!
I made a few extra -- so I'd like to give 2 away.

Please tell me (in the comments area) What class would you take at ArtUnraveled? Why? I'll pick 2 random winners on January 22. I really should have done this before I sent in my registration.....

Monday, January 16, 2012

Love -- a fabric collage

Finally, I'm listing some work on etsy.

I made this quiltie last year, but couldn't part with it :)

It is an 8 "x8" fabric collage. the background is vintage cotton and silk and it is embellished with vintage and new fabrics, lace and felt and some vintage buttons. It is hand embroidered and hand quilted. It would be lovely framed or applied to the front of a purse.
You can see the listing here.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

The Library Rocks!

I have always visited the library often -- but 2012 will be the big year of the library for me (with the no shopping and all). The Toronto Public Library rocks! I love "ordering" books on my computer, and then they arrive at my library a few days later. And I can borrow ebooks for my Kobo! I worry about the libraries closing -- it is in the news all the time here.
Please, everyone, Support your local library!


Here's what I got this week!

Some inspiring reading and eye candy:

(my favourite of the 3 is Jenny Doh's Creative Pilgrimage book -- oh, please let me be able to to to the Squam retreat some day! )

And a few to read on the subway:


For those of you who have asked how the frugal year is going.... I haven't bought anything! Well, 1 lunch at McDonalds , a box of cookies for my class (they were super-good this week) and some stamps at the post office. That's not shopping. BUT... I have dreamed about shopping (seriously, what's with that? It's like a nightmare -- because in my dreams I know that I'm not allowed to buy things and I'm trying to sneakily buy them and hide them :)

In real life I am coveting this ipad cover (bookbook) and this iphone cover (also bookbook) I have been on the waiting list for my new iphone for months! It will arrive THIS WEEK ! .... (hey, that's not a purchase for this year.... it was ordered waaaay last year... )

I think that I can get away with the iphone case as a necessity... but not the ipad case... I do already have one :) And with the iphone case -- I'm hoping to be able to barter one... or wait for someone to give me one as a gift.... Valentines day is coming (okay, maybe too spendy for Valentines day) and Mother's Day is coming (again, too spendy)...

Friday, January 13, 2012

Five Faves Friday - My "Go To" Art Books

I have so many art/craft books! I read them over and over and over. It was really hard to limit this list to just 5, so I am am listing the ones that I keep beside my bed -- the ones that influence me every day. I think that they really give an insight into the art that I am drawn to make -- stitching on fabric and paper, adding some paint and printmaking techniques, scrappy layers, and my big love for making jewelry.....

1. painted pages by sarah ahearn bellemare (look inside at the link)


2. cut it, paste it, sew it by Chisa Itou (look inside at the link)


3. Jewelry Lab by Melissa Manley (look inside at the link)


4. Layered, Tattered & Stitched by Ruth Rae (look inside at the link)

5. Scrapbook Workshop by May Flaum (look inside at the link)



(the links are to Amazon.com -- because the US site has more "look inside" features -- but if you are in Canada, buy them from an independent retailer, or Chapters.ca.... or amazon.ca -- preferably in that order :)

I also look at the Art of Personal Imagery by Corey Moortgat often, and Printmaking and Mixed Media by Dorit Elisha.


What are your favourites? Why?

Monday, January 09, 2012

Winter morning


Today I'm back to school after a two week break. I'll miss curling up in bed in the morning with my tea, my ipad and my little dog....

Sunday, January 08, 2012

Welcome, winter!


This weekend I (finally) wasn't sick any more. I've been a bit under the weather. For pretty much my whole school break! But Saturday was a beautiful day, so Mr. B and I walked to the beach. It was much colder there than at home (I live maybe a mile from the water?). I brought some cards that I made on Saturday morning so I could have a little photo shoot.

But first I shot my toes in the water. Normally there is ice out for a few hundred feet, but it's been so mild this season! If I closed my eyes, I could hear the waves lapping the shoreline... just like in the summer :)


Welcome, 2012! Welcome, winter! There was a little pile of ice, so I shot my cards there. I'll post more throughout the week.

Friday, January 06, 2012

Five Faves Friday - Favourite Decor Books of 2011

This list was hard to narrow down!
My five Favourite Decor / Design / Style Books of 2011

1. Nomad ... & Etcetera (Sibella Court)
2. Dottie Angel (Tif Fussell)
3. Decorate (Holly Becker)
4. A Perfectly Kept House is the Sign of a Misspent Life (Mary Randolph Carter)
5. Creative Walls (Geraldine James)
6. Pale & Interesting (Atlanta Bartlett)


okay, I can't count :)

Monday, January 02, 2012

Andy's pajamas

Andy patiently awaits breakfast in his super cute pajamas ...(he loves them)(really -- he is the best dog ever for dressing up -- he pushes his head through when you ask him, and lifts up his paws to put them into the sleeves).

Sunday, January 01, 2012

A year of living frugally

(frugal - 4x6 -- made from stuff that was already on my desk)

I am challenging myself in 2012 to a year without retail -- in-store or online shopping. This is not something I'm undertaking lightly. I am very serious and committed to this. Why? Because I feel that I'm buying things that I don't truly need. Last year (2010) I read Annie Leonard's book "The Story of STuff: How Our Obsession with Stuff is Trashing the Planet, Our Communities, and Our Health -- and a Vision for Change". Read it or read about it if you like. don't worry -- I'm not going to try to brainwash anyone into joining me. This is my journey, not yours :)

I am going to (try to) buy only consumable items for the whole year. Consumables include toiletries -- I might need to buy some antiperspirant sometime during the year and I don't want anyone else to have to suffer through my challenge :).

My exceptions will be books if they are gifts or for my classroom -- I live a few blocks from the library and really should be using it more than I do-- and anything that I already have that breaks and needs to be replaced (like my washing machine that currently needs replacing) (and something like a toner cartridge for my printer -- printing report cards and newsletters, etc. is part of my job).

I think that I'll allow myself exceptions at thrift shops and yard sales... (and I get to use up the gift cards that I currently have -- those were GIFTS to me-- and I have one for the Workroom and to Deserres to use when I really need an art fix :)

I have enough art supplies to get me through the year (okay, to get me through a lifetime). Enough paper, tape and staples...

I have enough clothes. And plenty of fabric if I run out.... I even have enough thread...

I certainly have enough stuff... too much stuff....

So, if you are getting a gift from me, or a trade in 2012, it will either be thrifted or handmade using materials that I already have. Or it will be edible -- I promise that I won't use any thrifted ingredients to make food, lol.

Anyone care to join me in this challenge? I am going to list every single purchase that I have made and then publish it at the end of each month (Mr. B buys the groceries, so I should be able to "balance" my wallet).

The part that I anticipate as difficult will be the online shopping, and the book buying. And the magazine buying. Wish me luck!!

(my word of the year this year is "frugal" -- and it's not even a pretty word, like meander was in 2009, remarkable in 2010 and content in 2011)

starting balance in my wallet:
$100

Happy New Year!