Let's Party!

The image in the centre of the doily is from Anahata Katkin of Papaya-- back when she used to sell images. I love the simplicity of this card.

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" ~Robin Williams

A wee bit of me Wednesday

{one} have you ever fainted?

um.... no, I don't think so... the Lovely Miss L is the fainter

{two} what is your favorite casino game?

I don't gamble. I don't even buy lottery tickets

{three}do you have a good sense of direction?

yes

{four} laptop or desktop?

both (usually at the same time....)

{five} what is your go-to hair style when having a bad hair day?

I pull the hat down really far...

{six} do you read the newspaper on a daily basis?

we have the Toronto Star delivered on Saturdays and Sundays only. No time on weekdays! (and, so sorry, the Globe is too wordy for me)

{seven} do you have a favorite celebrity chef?

I love the Brits -- Nigella and Jamie

{eight} what tv show would you like to make a guest appearance on?

Survivor (sometimes I dream about it)

{nine} do you have satellite radio in your car?

Well, I don't have a car(I keep telling you that!) But do they have satellite radio in Canada?

{ten} what was the last movie that made you cry?

I cry during every single movie. I cry while reading books. I cry when I read the newspaper. I cry when the kids say cute things. Although I don't consider myself overly emotional... am I?

Oh Deer

I'm still loving little woodland animals. Especially deer :) (and foxes and hedgehogs)

April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.
~William Shakespeare

Signs of Spring

I'm starting to see flowers! crocus, hyacinth, scilla, snowdrops. They are here!!!!

The year's at the spring
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in His heaven -
All's right with the world!
~Robert Browning

hello friend

I forgot to post my cards that I made for ihanna's postcard swap. They were sent all around the world (to the US, Argentina and Sweden). I used Colette's beautiful stamp ("podcast" -- available here or at Bizzie Bs if you are local in Toronto)

Simple Cards

I've been making a lot of cards lately. These two were very simple -- yet very lovely, I think. I just took images (these ones by DJ Pettitt) and layered and sewed them onto card. Easy Peasy. I added a bit of extra stitched detail to the top one before I sewed it on. Why not cut up some old magazines and make some cards. You can't sell them, of course, if you are using someone else's images, but you can make note cards or birthday cards to send to friends. Go and do it right now. Send a card to a friend. We all love finding a treasure in our mail box that isn't a bill (or that never ending supply of election literature).

very cute needle case

So, now that I'm such a knitting expert (LOL) I decided that I needed a swanky needle case to carry my double pointed sock needles in (well, carry is an odd word, perhaps store is a better word, because I can't see any occasion that I would actually carry these with me)

The needles are only about 5" long -- so this is small. And it was super fast to whip up. The little "knit pirates" label was on the selvedge of the fabric -- and I had to use it. So cute. Because you know that all new endeavours will only succeed if you have cool new accessories. Honestly. That's a real rule. Well, in my house anyway :)

A wee bit of me Wednesday

(I can't get the new button to work -- if you'd like to play along -- please see Leigh Ashley's site here)

{one}

what is one food that, as an adult you love, but as a child you said you’d never touch? broccoli

{two}

did you go to college? if yes, what was your major? well, I went to College -- and took Fashion Merchandising. Then I went to University and majored in English Lit, then French, then Psych, then Clothing and Textiles, and I finally graduated with a Degree in Art History and Criticism. Don't forget the Criticism. It's my favourite line on that piece of paper. A few years later I went back to school for Magazine Journalism. Then many years later I went back to school to pursue my Bachelors of Education. I think that I went to post secondary school for 10 years in total. I love school. I've taken 2 University level classes in the past few years. It's lifelong learning baby. Lifelong Learning.

{three}

what’s the most wild animal you’ve seen in real life (not counting the zoo)? Many bears and once I saw a moose. Moose are VERY large!

{four}

have you ever been to a fortune teller? Yes, but only because it was offered at Mr. B's company Christmas Party a few years ago. She told me that many people "look up to me". How true :)

{five}

can you juggle? With 2 balls, not with 3 -- does that count? I also juggle many different projects at once..... that surely counts?

{six}

hardwood floors or carpet?

hardwood. I love patina

{seven}

is it called “soda” or “pop”? Pop. As in Red Pop.

{eight}

what was your first car? I keep telling you that I don't drive.

{nine}

what is the most decadent dessert you’ve ever eaten?

I'm not a big dessert fan (I like sweets, just usually in the afternoon, not right after a meal). I can't really think of anything extra decadent... maybe Meep's cheesecake.....

{ten}

how often do you rearrange your furniture? Pretty much never. I move in, put the furniture where it goes, and there it stays. I've never lived in any one space longer than 3 or 4 years, so you'll have to ask me this in about 10 years when I'm bored with my space.....

Pampered Chef

I'm having a Pampered Chef party on Wed April 13th 7pm -- do any of you local (Toronto and area) bloggy friends want to come? It's like a tupperware party -- only with really great kitchen utensils etc. Check out the website here. I'm not selling -- I'm just hosting. You can watch the consultant and I make pizza :) and then you can help eat it!
My favourite products? The stoneware cooking trays and the oil spritzers. And the apple wedger. And the scrapers.
If you'd like to come -- just email me and I'll give you my address.

Socks

I forgot to show my socks. Okay, perhaps they are a bit large... but I am a loose knitter. My next pair is being stitched on smaller needles.


But I've worn them. Twice! I love this new skill. Off now to practice my uke. (yes, another new undertaking).
[ummm.. before you get thinking that I'm turning into a Jenny Doh, please remember that I have no coordination and little musical skill] I do plan to decorate my uke with doilies though :)]

Tim Burton

Today we went and saw the Tim Burton Exhibition at Tiff. It is the MoMA's tribute to Burton’s life work. The exhibit features childhood sketches, paintings, storyboards, puppets, and costumes, as well as other completed and non-completed projects, and screenings of his major movies. It was fabulous.

My favourite part was seeing the costume that Johnny Depp wore as Edward Scissorhands. This is a sketch of it: I was also delighted to find out that a full length production of Frankenweenie is in the works. Yay!
I think that I have seen every Tim Burton film except Planet of the Apes. (Hey Meep!!! Do you have that one? ). Yes, I have even seen Ed Wood :)
And Mom, just letting you know that he not only directed Edwards Scissorhands -- but also Mars Attacks. So maybe this wouldn't be the exhibition for you ;)

It ends on April 17th.

a wee bit of me wednesday

{one}

if you won a trip to Disneyland/world, who would you take with you?

my daughter

{two}

when was the last time you listened to a CD?

yesterday -- the Folkfest CD for school (I teach folk dance with my teacher friend D) (please stop laughing all of you people who KNOW that I have no coordination)

{three}

what spice/seasoning is your favorite?

salt...... and cinnamon (not together)

{four}

if you were in a band, what kind of music would you play?

Rockabilly! For sure!

{five}

if you could have personally witnessed one historical event, which one would it be?

ummm, the "reign" of Anne Boleyn

{six}

if you could go back to school, what would you study?

I already did that

{seven}

if you could go to one sporting event, all expenses paid, which one would you see?

An Olympic rowing event.... with the Lovely Miss L racing !!!

{eight}

do you drive an automatic or a manual?

my bicycle is pretty much manual :)

{nine}

are you comfortable speaking in front of people?

only if they are under age 6

{ten}

have you ever experienced an earthquake?

no thank you

A wee bit of me Wednesday

{one} what was your first job?

delivering newspapers

{two} have you ever seen a stand up comedian?no, I'm not really a comedy fan

{three} when was the last time you played mini golf?ummmm, can't remember. Twenty years ago?

{four} what was the last picture you took?kids painting with cars at school

{five} burnt food: yes or no?no… yuck.
{six} if you have a pocket full of change, what do you do with it?I would never have change in my pocket. It's in my wallet.

{seven} can you touch your tongue to your nose?nope
{eight} do you scrapbook?

nope, too scary (each page is a big commitment)

{nine} do you buy lottery tickets?

nope (but I plan to win 27 million some day)

{ten} do you prefer to be in front of the camera or behind it?behind it -- I HATE having my picture taken

Nanopod

Tosca Teran 0f Nanopod Studios -- where I took my jewelry classes last year (here in Toronto) was a featured artist on Handmade Portraits on Etsy last week!

Check out her amazing bio-video here:



Click here for her etsy shop!

ipad cover

I made this one for Heather. I figure if she doesn't use it for her ipad -- it can be used as a journal pouch, or a strap could be added and it could be a purse. Multi purpose -- I love it!


The image is by DJ Pettitt -- I'm not sure if she still sells them in her etsy shop or not.... it's empty now.

Spring!

I saw snowdrops yesterday. Spring is really here! The sun has been shining for days -- but it's still freezing and there is still some snow on my front garden (where I piled it when shoveling the walk. I'll be out soon cleaning off the fallen leaves and mulch. Maybe next weekend.

March Break is over. My basement isn't finished yet -- but at least I have some clear space to work/play. This is some work in progress -- postcards for ihanna's postcard swap. Someone gave me a bunch of craft paints and I'm trying to use them up. They're kind of dried out, but I'm managing to get some colour out of them! Very springlike. I'll likely stamp some interesting quotations on them -- but maybe no collage? or maybe some gesso to tone them down a bit... We'll see... The 2 at the back (collaged) will get some stitching on them and then they'll be finished!
o

An Artful Journey

This year I'm participating in a book Round Robin -- I haven't done one in a few years, so I though that it was high time that I did.


These are the pages that I did for Janis -- her theme was The County Fair. For me, the Fair was all about the rides. And maybe the food, a bit. As an adult I like the quilts too. When I was young I entered flower arrangements into the competitions too. (can you say 'geeky"?) My mom was a big part of the Horticultural Society and the Garden Club, so I was being a little mini-mom. Sometimes I even won ribbons! (it really seemed a big deal at the time. However, I realize now that I was one of the only kids who entered the kids competition, so of course I would win. It didn't even cross my mind then)

Mixed Tape

Well, I figured out how to hook my ipod up to my newly set up stereo. But I'd rather play the mixed tape that was still inside the tape deck :)

Here's the playlist from "Martha's Faves, 1995"
Stay - Lisa Loeb
Down By The Water- PJ Harvey
Bizarre Love Triangle - Frente (whatever happened to her???)
Spin the Bottle - Juliana Hatfield
Divine Hammer - Breeders
Miss World - Hole
Superstar - Sonic Youth
Hurting Each Other - Johnette Napolitano
Close to You - Cranberries
Linger - Cranberries
Dreams - Cranberries
Claire - Rheostatics
One More Colour - Rheostatics
Luka - Lemonheads
Laid - James
(on the other side is the soundtrack from Twin Peaks)

You know what I don't like about tapes?waiting for them to rewind to the beginning if you don't want to play the other side. Are we spoiled, or what?
For your viewing pleasure, here I am around that era:

I'm much more wrinkly now and my hair is a bit, ummmm, lighter.......

Still in the basement, cleaning. It's not picture worthy yet. Not even close.

A wee bit of me wednesdays

{one} scruffy or clean shaven?Are you talking me, or him? lol. Clean. Scruffy is too scratchy

{two} what’s your favorite sundae topping?Cherry pie filling. But really, I eat them once every 10 years

{three} do you own slippers?Yep, but I usually wear trainers with orthotics in the house.

{four} did you ever have a tree house?Yes! My dad built them.

{five} how you do relieve stress?sleep

{six} what’s your favorite dr. seuss book?Go Dog Go (Do you like my hat?)

{seven} have you ever taken dance classes?Yes, sadly. Ballet and jazz. Let's just say I'm not a natural.

{eight} which do you use more: the thesaurus or the dictionary?the thesaurus
{nine} what’s your favorite form of exercise?swimming
{ten} what’s the longest you’ve ever waited in line?Many hours at the passport office.

Studio makeover

This is going to take me FOREVER.
Here's what I went down to this morning:
I am so lucky to have such a big space to work in. I have separate spots for sewing and paper crafts. There is a kitchen sink (double sinks) and a counter with an exhaust fan. I have a huge cutting table. But it's all under an avalanche of stuff. I have my recycling box and a garbage bag in hand. I've rolled up my sleeves..... and I'm sitting down to a cup of tea......

Okay, first up -- setting up my stereo. It's been packed in a box since I moved in 3 years ago. It only took me about 1/2 hour to unpack it and set it up. I'm playing a tape (yes, I have a great tape deck -- I can still make mixed tapes, lol). The tape playing now? Twin Peaks Soundtrack :) ANd when I unpacked the 3 cartons, what did I find? All of my missing bath towels! And a vintage down filled duvet. Hmph, that's where they went.

Now I'm going down to tackle the desk area. Wish me luck!