All I want to do is just pour some tea for two....

This is my spread in Rachelle's Book (Colour Me Silly RR). The theme of the book is "Book of Pleasures". I had to decide on my pleasures. I have lots, LOL! Reading, art,family, children, Ray, tea, food, music..... I chose tea. I love curling up with a nice cuppa. Even in the middle of summer. And then, I always have a jug of home made (sweet) iced tea in the ice box. (we don't really say ice box in Canada, I'm just foolin' with yer heads, eh?) After I made this, I wanted to keep it. I could have, and made another -- I created it and then glued it in the book. In the top pic, there is a lovely teapot button that I cherish, it's hard to see among the fibers....... I hope that Rachelle likes it........
(made from fabric backgrounds, and some paper. I even rubber stamped a bit!)

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Her Eminence the Very Viscountess Martha the Formidable of London by the Bow Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Please refer to me as your eminence from now on.... hmmm, how intriguing, m&ms are my favourite candy........ and I really am from London.........

oh, by the way, dear loyal subjects, I found this on Veronica's blog.

Oh, Lost Love.....

This is my spread for Donna's Sepia book. It is the last of the "We Dream In Color #1" RR. 15 spreads - 15 months! It's the last one of the series that I have challenged myself to incorporate music lyrics into. Sepia was difficult. I guess that I still have to do my own (chartruese and violet) too. I'll do that when it comes home from June!

When I chose the lyrics, I knew that the spread had to be bittersweet. A man, remembering the past, pining over his lost love...... What happened to her? What did he put away somewhere safe?-- the picture? a letter? his heart? her body? (mwaaahaaahaaa)

The sepia Lyrics are by jazz singer Al Jarreau
L is for Lovers
Yesterday, just a
photograph of yesterday
And all its edges folded
and the corners
faded sepia brown
And yet it's all I have
of our past love
A postscript to its ending

Brighter days
I can see such brighter days
When every song we sang
Is sung again
And now we know
We know this time it's for good
And we're lovers once again
And you're near me

I can remember the
rain in December
The leaves are brown -
On the ground

In Spain I did love and adore you
The nights filled with
joy were our yesterdays
And tomorrow will bring you near me

I can recall my desire
Every reverie is on fire
And I get a picture of
all our yesterdays
Yes, today
I can say, "I get a kick every time
They play that, 'Spain," again"

I can remember the rain in December
The leaves are brown-
On the ground

Our love was a Spanish fiesta
The bright lights and songs
were our joy each day
And the nights were the
heat of yearning

I can recall my desire
Every reverie is on fire
And I get a picture of
all our yesterdays
Yes, today
I can say, "I get a kick everytime
I see you gaze at me."

I see moments of history
Your eyes meet mine and
They dance to the melody
And we live again
As if dreaming

The sound of our
hearts beat like castanets
And forever we'll know their meaning

You gaze at me
I see moments of history...
Your eyes meet mine
And they dance to the melody
And we live again
As if dreaming...

Hot Women

Last night was my local ATC night at Bizzie B's. The Hive is growing! I made 15 ATCs, but the number is getting unmanageable. It's hard to do your best work when you're churning out a production line! I like my ATCs to be individualized....... Thank you everyone for trading! And thanks to everyone who came for the socializing. And a special thanks to Ray for coming and driving me home!

I did these with transparencies (layering background paper underneath. I think that this is my favourite way to make ATCs. The bottom right card (feelings could get hurt) isn't a transparency -- it's images with tulle over the top. I also made some others with paper /paint etc, but I lost the scan somewhere on my computer, and I can't remember what I named it...

Someone asked me where I get my word text from -- sometimes, if I need a specific quote, I print it on the computer and then age it with tea. But usually, I cut from books. Lately I've been using an old horoscope book, as well as a Trixie Beldon book and Little Women. Oh, and I have a few copies of "The complete works of Shakespeare", so they are bound to show up in next months "Quotes" ATC theme at Bizzie B's! (August 10th -- put it on your calendar right now!!) Although I do have a set of Shakepeare quotations in rubber somewhere......

Bird Obsession

I was really excited to work in Karen's journal because it kind of had a bird theme (The journal is called "A Song in my Heart -- and it has a little quotation at the bottom right of every spread, with an image of an egg). I had so much trouble working with birds! I think that they'd rather be off soaring, than being stuck in the pages of a book, LOL. The image of the girl is a postcard by Anahata -- it was from ArtFest. I love how Anahata puts together her collages.....

hearts

I just love hearts. When Jo asked if anyone was interested in a heart danglie swap, I jumped at the chance. They are not due until August 30, but I was mailing some other things to Jo (in Australia) so I sent these along. They were to be ATC size -- and I wasn't sure if they were to be ATC dimension ( 2 1/2 by 3 1/2), but I made them that way anyway. I really enjoyed making these, so I made some extra. I sent one to my dentist, who retired last week. I'll miss you, Dr. Charlebois, Happy Retirement!

(the fronts are on the top, the backsides are on the bottom!)

Some birds fly alone

I am one of those birds. And I'd like to thank everyone in my life who has let me soar freely, and who has understood how important that has been to me.

Avast, ye scurvy dogs!

I be going on a voyage south in the Black Pearl (or perhaps the Red Echo). We be back on Wednesday.

I'm no Jack Sparrow -- but I'd do well as one of the crew, wouldn't I???? I'm not sure which one I like better -- Yo Ho a pirates death for me, or Arrrgh Shiver me timbers! I'm pretty distasteful in both.

White

I've started another colour RR. This time my colour is white. I LOVE working in white. This is the book that I sent off to Bonnie this week -- all ready to be arted in. I used a children's dictionary -- it was the size that I wanted. The friendly words page is the sign in -- there are 11 participants across the US and Canada. I will really enjoy this book when it comes home -- I can continue filling the pages with white! ( I took the pages at sunset, so the colours look a bit pinker than they really are.

Sometimes I scare myself.....

Lauren and I went to the mall today and played in the photobooth. We have some wonderful photos! We're going to make this a regular occurance. Aren't we cute? But wait, there is a piece de resistance! Look to the right! I brought props. This cretin is me! No extra makeup! These strips of pictures were taken seconds apart! I would switch sidewalks to avoid this pirate! (all I put on was the scarf and a piece of candy wrapper on my tooth) . The pirate pics will be made into ATCs for Dawn Supina's Wacky Photo Booth Swap. I will include a "real" pic of me on the back. Although, scarily, those to the left are just as real. And sheesh, I usually think that I look better without my glasses. Please click on the photos for super scary enlargements!
Who knew that a pirate lived inside of me?????
Maybe I should start talking pirate!

Now, mateys, if ye intends to go on readin this blog, ye better get used to the new way a talkin. Avast and shiver me timbers!

"Avast belay, yo ho, heave to,

A-pirating we go

And if we're parted by a shot

We're sure to meet below!"

"Yo ho, yo ho, the pirate life,

The flag o'skull and bones

A merry hour, a hempen rope,

And hey for Davy Jones."

(Peter Pan)

Hey! Did you know that September 19 is International "Talk Like a Pirate" Day? I'm definitely celebrating this one!

Birdie ATC bag

The details of this swap:
We were to make a birdie bag that could hold about 30 ATCs. We were to send it, and 3 ATCs to a partner. Then, for the next year or so, send 3 Bird themed ATCs to each person in the swap. My bag and my first ATCs have gone to Jo in Queensland, Australia. I will post the ATCs after Jo has received the bag -- something HAS to be a secret!
The bag is about 6" square and about 3" deep. I forgot to take pictures of the inside. There is a little hidden nest!
(I should really find some new backdrops for my pictures, LOL)

I LOVE to swim

During the school year, I swim twice a week (even all winter). In the summer, I barely swim. This summer I'm going to try to swim more often. Swimming frees my mind. I'd start today, but it's pouring rain..... excuses, excuses....
(this is another spread in Karen's CJ)

What's with THIS ???

When we were in Quebec last summer, we came across this road sign. It is just outside of an English speaking town called Arundel. Its weirdness speaks for itself. Although I'm pretty sure this is what it means: If you come across a sleeping child in the middle of the road, please drive around them. Pay special attention not to run over their floppy socks.
** I welcome your interpretations too!!! Leave a comment!

aahhhhh, summer

Finally. I'm finished school. Now I can relax. Hahahahahahaha. Today I'm finishing up some things that need to be mailed out, then tomorrow I'm making some art to sell! That's the best kind for me to do -- not because of the selling, but because I get to make exactly what I want, without a hard deadline.This is a spread that I did in Karen's calendar journal. The journal is beautiful. But huge and heavy and a b**** to mail. I got to use my new pink stamp pad. It's exactly what I wanted.

Happy Canada Day!

We celebrated in style! At a Rowing Regatta -- The Dominion Day Regatta at Toronto Island. It was the 123rd year of this event. Lauren was rowing. Here she is in all her glory! GO LAUREN!


After the races we had a picnic. Then Ray and I went to the beach. A wonderful relaxing day. And we get to do it again tomorrow (the relaxing day, not the rowing) Because Canada Day fell on a Sunday, we get to holiday again on Monday. Yay!

Incredible Illness

Today was supposed to be the last day of school. Brunch and meetings and cleaning the classroom and the like. Instead, I spent it at home in bed. When I spoke to the school (Miriam called me)(thanks Miriam!) I was told that about half the staff couldn't come. It was the incredible puking illness. At first we thought that it was heat exhaustion -- it was over 40 degrees C in the school (104 F). People were really sick at school, and dropping like flies. But I'm pretty sure that it is some stomache flu. With a nasty headache. I haven't thrown up in more than 20 years! It was ucky! (aren't you glad that I'm sharing?????)
So tomorrow (Friday) will be the last day of school. I hope that I manage to do all of my work in one day. I don't want to have to go next week too.
Having said all of that, I'm behind on anything that was to be mailed out this week. C'est la vie....

Everything is Black and White

Or not..... I was making black and white charms for a swap -- I decided to use black wooden dominoes and cut them in half. After cutting 30 dominoes in half with my dremel(you only can get one square per domino) , I put them in a safe place, to return to them later. That safe place is VERY safe. Even I can't find THAT safe place. Luckily, the swap deadline was extended! I didn't have any more dominoes, but I could easily find dice. So dice it is. I'm quite happy with them. They're a bit big, but I am determined to make a bracelet or necklace with the returns! I'll post a picture them as soon as I get them back. Ruth has hers posted on her blog too. And a great ee cummings poem! Very cool Ruth! I hope that I get one of those!

I'd LOVE to do a pink and green charm swap! Maybe someone wants to host that! Hmmm, any takers??? (it's hard for me to host -- I'd be happy to, but since most of the players are in the US, the postage is almost double to send here and return, so it's kind of silly for me to host.

An Extraordinary Evening

Carmi's art group met last night -- This is my Extraordinary R. Each member did 1 or 2 letters, and Carmi will have them photographed for us (the whole word) YAY -- Thank you Carmi! (Hey, that's my backyard -- it's not looking too bad -- all blurry and lush)
These are the letters everyone did -- Aren't they great?????? Please see Carmi's website to see who did each one, and to see close ups!

We had fun playing with fabric and rhinestones and some cool iron on embroidery trim stuff ...... We all made little ATCs or fabric collages using a few fabrics that Carmi brought. Here's mine! Initially, I wasn't liking her , but as I sewed and added bits, she was more "me". I don't usually use many 3D embellishments, but I think that she might need some beads and sequins.....

Zetti Solstice

I have been trading zetti ornaments with Beth for awhile. Beth made the TOP one and I made the BOTTOM one. LOL -- we like the same images...... Beth's is so cool -- I think that she teaches a class about making her ornaments -- she lives in California for all of you South West coasters. Beth's ornament is about 1/2 inch thick -- mine was quite flat. Thank you Beth!!!

Summer starts today!

Today is the solstice! Summer officially starts around 2pm. I made some solstice art. This is a postcard I made for a zetti postcard swap! Lauren is my sun -- when my face is towards her, all of my troubles fall behind me. I love you Laur!
More solstice art later today! Right now I have to go to school and prepare for a birthday party for 2 groups of children -- 17 to a group. I made 4 dozen cupcakes last night!

Fun Stuff

I found this fun link on Catherine's blog -- for once I can blame someone other than Heather for my procrastination! LOL! I can blame Jackson Pollock!
Click here to play (if you want to want to save your creation, click on Print Screen (Prt Scr) on your keyboard (PC) and then paste into a publishing or paint program, then edit.)

Buy this Book!

This book is WONDERFUL. Some people on yahoo groups said that they didn't like it so much, but I think it is great. I took a class from Michael at ArtFest this year (and will take 2 more, here in Toronto in October) . Michael is highly entertaining -- and a great teacher. His book is a lot like him -- chatty and visually appealing (LOL)(giggle). I think maybe people wanted a "how to" book with more info. He does tell how to make things, but because his assemblage is made up of found objects, he can't really give instructions to make the exact same things! C'mon folks! Use your creativity. Grab a tube of Liquid Nails (we Canucks will have to make a trip south of the border) and your favourite paints, and glue stuff together! Having said all that, I still haven't finished the 3 assemblaaaaaaages that I started at ArtFest. That's what summer's for, right?

Summer's Coming

I was so lucky to be able to work in Else's Ocean Jewels book in the warm weather. I dream of the ocean often (or the lake) We used to have a cottage on Lake Huron. But my mom sold it :( Then they bought a house on the ocean in Nova Scotia. But she sold it :( (but we still love you, mom!) Now I live in a beautiful city with an ocean-like lake -- so I'm still lucky. Ray and I went out to the Toronto Islands yesterday and dreamed about living there. So we're going to apply -- it might take 10 or more years for a house to come up, but we'll patiently wait.... The houses are tiny and cottagey and it's a wonderful artist community..... but your life depends on the ferry!
The quotation is by Longfellow (with one line edited out)

Birdie Fever!

Kelly finally received her Birdie Fever stuff from me! I think that she liked it! Go on over to her blog and see the stuff - her pictures are better than mine, LOL. And while you're there, look at her past posts on her blog. She has some very cool eye candy there -- and tons of book recommendations. If you ever get a chance, take a class from Kelly Kilmer-- everyone who I know who has taken them has had a great time, and learned a lot! (maybe someday she'll teach in Toronto....)

Something new, something blue!

I told Heather that I'd make a wrist quiltie for her. She requested blue and brown. Blue and brown? I don't have any brown fabric !!! I poked around and lo and behold, I do (honestly, was there really any doubt? -- I AM a pack rat.......) This is what I found:
And this is what I made! I like it!

New Stuff coming soon....

I HAVE made lots of new stuff -- but I can't post them until the recipients have them.... Some things can't even be posted until next summer, LOL. Let me just say that I have finished a zetti ornament and 5 original post cards..... The charms are giving me grief, but the extraordinary R is flying right along..... The journal spreads are coming along.....
So I thought I'd post.... another polka dot page !!! LOL ! Surprise! The image is Anahata Katkin's -- if you want to buy one of her collage books you'd better hurry -- she is discontinuing them! but they are on sale while they last!!

Birdie Fever !

I participated in Tammie's Birdie Fever Swap. We were to send a pile of birdie themed stuff to a partner. My partner was Kelly Kilmer -- who has to be the most generous person on the planet! And she only grumbled a bit about the ridiculous amount that the post office charged her (USPS has a million different charts and rules. If it seems like it is too much, ask for the lowest, going by surface snail mail rate). Anyway here it is! All of the cool stuff that Kelly sent me! (click on the picture for a better view)


There is a TON of paper, and a birdie rubber stamp cube, ribbon, some fun birdies, some honkin' big paper fasteners ("brads") and the Michelle Ward Clearly Impressed set that I've been coveting. And BEST OF ALL, a journal that Kelly made for me. That's it with the pinky/orange cover with the bird on it. The bad part is that it's too nice to journal in. Hahahahahahaha. Ray said that it was all really "me" and I think that Kelly is a kindred spirit. It's nice having all of those pieces of paper. I think that I'm going to rip all of my big 12x12 papers and larger wrapping papers into smaller pieces, because then they are (mentally) ready to use, and not so covetable and hoardable

And the good news? Round One is finished in the Report Card Corner! I now have to read them over to edit any typos and glaring errors. Then my principal reads them over to find any typos and silly mistakes, and perhaps edits out my personality a bit (the part where it says " XXX must remember that karate moves are for karate class, and not for the kindergarten classroom")( or "YYY must refrain from biting and punching the teacher")(I'm supposed to use teacher jargon like "YYY is encouraged to use her hands for helping"). Anyway, then I get them back, fix the mistakes, print them, sign then, and hand them in again to the Principal who reads them over again to make sure that I was a good girl and fixed my mistakes. The Principal is legally responsible for the report cards, so if I say anything idiotic, she gets blamed.....

I'm doing the happy dance. And Ray, Andy and Lauren will be happy that I will be less crabby.

My art list for this week:
- 25 charms for a swap
- an extraordinary R
- a zetti ornament
- 5 zetti postcards
- Vale's zetti journal spread
- a birdie ATC bag and ATCs
- Else's journal spread

Okay, maybe I'll still be crabby........

Big green dots

I'm STILL doing report cards (I'm eating my lunch right now). It would be really nice if I could finish them all today and have time to play tomorrow. That's not very likely at this point......

Procrastinationg a little bit... woof!

I went here and took a quiz.....
This is what kind of dog I am!

Martha, you're a Collie!

No bones about it, you're a loyal, nurturing Collie. A sensitive breed, you're always approachable and very in tune with others' feelings — just like Lassie! Because of your empathetic nature, you tend to be the group psychologist to your circle of friends. Your faithful, easygoing, steadfast personality makes you a wonderful confidant; people love to come to you with their troubles. Bottom line? You're a star at interpersonal relationships and have a knack for making new friends and acquaintances wherever you go. After all, what's a Collie without a flock to look after? Since you're so giving, your buddies might not realize that you need them just as much as they need you, so make sure not to neglect yours truly. Everyone deserves some "me" time. Woof!

Still more dots......

Still working on report cards..... so I am felling a bit dotty..... are we tired of them yet?

Still feeling dotty

More polka dot pages for the circle fatbook Heather is hosting. I'm writing report cards this week, so the dots will continue for awhile.......

You will walk in good company

My spread in Megan's black and white book:


It was inspired by a Jane Siberry song:

The Valley
i live in the hills
you live in the valleys
and all that you know are those blackbirds
yoou rise every morning
wondering what in the world will the world bring today
will it bring you joy or will it take it away
and every step you take is guided by
the love of the light on the land and the blackbird's cry
you will walk in good company

the valley is dark
the burgeoning holding
the stillness obscured by their judging
you walk through the shadows
uncertain and surely hurting
deserted by the blackbirds and the staccato of the staff
and though you trust the light towards which you wend your way
sometimes you feel all that you wanted has been taken away
you will walk in good company

i love the best of you
you love the best of me
though it is not always easy
lovely? lovely?
we will walk in good company

the shepherd upright and flowing
you see...

Megan sang this song to her tiny baby in the hospital. The song has been playing in my head ever since. I had to use it to let it out!

Ouch!

This is my poor puppy's leg. When Ray was walking him on Wednesday night, a dog ran out of his yard and attacked Andy. Ray pulled the dog off (a Jack Russell) and the dog bit Ray too and ran away. Andy had a big chunk taken out of his leg. The vet bill was $700. Yikes. And the puppy isn't himself yet. This is him looking sad. Poor puppy.

LATE EDIT (Saturday night)! : We know where the dog lives, but apparently, nothing can be done. We can sue the owners for the vet money, but our lawyers fees would be more than the vet bill... Ray pretends that the dog didn't bite him, but it DID break the skin 3 times. He is in denial and won't go the doctor. Andy is healing well. After 2 days of lethargy, tonight he's jumping all over Lauren and running 360s in the garden. Thank you all for the well wishes!!!

And to top it all off, I'm really sick (AGAIN). Last weekend I started feeling sick after 2 weeks of pretty good health. So with the puppy and the illness, I'm behind again. Today I'm mailing some swaps off, and then heading into report cards. The good news? Only 3 1/2 weeks until holidays.

This is a polka dot page that I made for Heather's fatbook. More pics to come.......