This is...

This is...the contents of my handbag.
Well, first off, I have 2 handbags. One that is the essential diaper bag which is necessary for all outings:
And another equally durable, yet original Dominique Picquier handbag that is from my prior life. And sadly, it has not travelled much further than our couch in quite some time due to the fact that it cannot hold all the baby contents. And honestly, even if I could squeeze them all in, there is no way I could bring myself to convert this piece of beauty to a container for diapers, snacks and chewy toys. It was my only big purchase while we were in Paris last year. The apartment we stayed in was just around the corner from this designer's shop and every time we walked by I had to stop and drool over all the gorgeous textiles.

Each one of the Dominique Picquier fabrics is woven, dyed and printed in France according to the tradition of Lyon. I honestly wanted to buy everything in that shop...of course it took me about an hour just to pick out the 2 pieces I brought home. Ah, how I love reminiscing over the shopping excursions in Paris...but the gurgling baby always brings me back to the present. Now, off I go to wipe up the messy mouth and pick up more cheerios off the floor :)

Illustration Friday ~ Pet Peeves

I thought I'd just do a quick doodle so that I'd actually have something to show this week.
It sounds odd in this day and age, but I really cannot stand the telephone. I know that it is probably the most practical method of communication, but I find it so intrusive and quite annoying actually. If only I could survive in this modern world without one.

This is...

I'm a bit late on this one since we just got back from our Easter weekend in Grand Forks.
This is...my demon.


I am addicted to the Oprah show. Much to hubby's dismay (he loathes Oprah and believes she is the true anti-christ), I have been faithfully watching this daytime television show since I have been on maternity leave. I can't help it. I love the topics and the guests she brings on. The show is oozing of estrogen and I find myself in near tears nearly 75% of the time. I've even gotten sucked into the Big Give and her book club event. I spend a couple hours every week watching the web broadcasts and reading up on the chapters before hand. I must say, it is difficult to admit the extent of my addiction, but I have a hunch there are many more out there just like me who are a tad embarrassed to admit they too share this demon.

The Shop is Open for Business

I am pleased to announce that I have finally got an Etsy store up and running! Complete with 3 items posted for sale. I like to start small and work my up to success :) So, I hope you all scootch on over there and have a look at Mighty Sally Designs!

Here is a little preview. You will probably remember this series of Toy Portraits I did for Simone awhile back. Well, I've decided to make a bunch more and try to sell them.
I hope you like them and please stop by to visit the shop. I'll be adding new items to the store as soon as I can!

This is...

Already another week has passed and it's time to post! This week, the theme is:
This is...my creation

Some of you may be wondering, is this blog just becoming a journal of my little Simone? Well, I suppose for the time being, it's gonna have to be. But truly, she is the most amazing creation in my life. So, this week, I must show off another picture of her. She just turned 8 months on friday, but in this photo she was on 4 weeks old. I marvel at how quickly she is growing!

Giggle and Snort

No one can make her laugh like Papa :)

This is...

I'm late with this entry. Big surprise! But anyways...
This is...looking out my front door.

We have lived in our townhome for nearly 4 years now. I can't believe how the time has flown by. When we first moved in, the area was quite peaceful. There were large properties across the street with loads of trees and the traffic was really minimal.

Today, it is a completely different story. The properties across the way have been purchased by developers and sadly, most of the huge beautiful trees have been cut down. We now enjoy the soothing sounds of bulldozers, front end loaders, and jackhammers while they develop the land for a new subdivision of coach homes (whatever that means). We still love our townhome, but I must say, it is becoming more and more difficult to live in this area. I wonder how much longer we will last.

sharing spaces

I wanted to participate in the last "This is" meme, I really did! Each week I look forward to this post because it is a mini project that in most cases, I can actually complete within the deadline. Last Sunday's topic was "This is my inspiration board". I quickly browsed through a bunch of the participants and was thoroughly impressed by what everyone posted. If this were the topic a year ago, I would have eagerly participated, but the sad fact is that I no longer have an inspiration board. I no longer have a workspace! We live in a 2 bedroom townhouse and before our little bundle of joy arrived, I had my own luxurious room to spread my inspiration all over. I suppose this room was the first big sacrifice I made for my Simone. And don't get me wrong, I am not upset or angry about it. In fact, I was so excited to convert that room to a nursery, I had chosen the colours by the time I was only a few months pregnant! But I have to admit, I do miss having my own space. Currently Hubby and I share the kitchen table. Ok, maybe we don't share so much as I own the table and give him a small end section for his laptop, some books and if he's good, a cup of tea. The rest is mine, and let me tell you, it is NOT enough space. I need a room, people!
So, instead of an inspiration board, I am posting a photo of my sad workspace. As you can see I am not the most organized artist around. I like to keep everything out and visible so I can grab it easily and carry on with whatever I am doing. Problem is, I have so much crap everywhere that I can't see anything at all. I know, it is a pathetic system. One day I will get my act together - I swear! And hopefully I will soon have the time and energy to make more art when my little rascal starts sleeping better and gives her Mommy a break!

I stole the cheese

My conscience is really bugging me. On Friday, we were at the grocery store and after we loaded the car with all the goods and started driving out, we noticed a block of cheese lying on the ground in the parking lot. It must have fallen out of someone's grocery bag. The first words out of hubby's mouth were, "look at the cheese! Go get it!".
"Should I?...Really?"
"Sure! Go for it"
I hesitated for a split second out of self consciousness, then opened the car door and grabbed the block of mozzarella cheese. Now, this wasn't your regular no name brand cheese, it was the good expensive stuff you get at the deli counter. I thought, what a score! I was so pleased with myself. Especially after watching the latest Oprah episode about the Freegan lifestyles, where people scrounge around grocery dumpsters looking for free food. I could now consider myself as one of them, getting my hands dirty in the parking lot while picking up a block of cheese
...OK, so it wasn't a dumpster, and I really didn't get my hands dirty. In fact, someone paid for this cheese and it fell out of their bag by accident. Omigosh. I stole the cheese! And to top it off, there were a group of bystandards loitering on the sidewalk, staring at me as I ran out of the car and scooped up that mozzarella. Witnesses! Wait a second. I am a criminal!
"I can't believe you just did that"
"What do you mean?? You encouraged it!"
"Yeah, but I didn't think you'd actually do it. It's so not like you."
Well, that comment did wonders for my guilty conscience. The rest of the way home I begged Hubby to turn the car around so I could place the cheese in the exact position I found it. What if the shopper realized it had fallen out of his/her bag and while they were looking for it, one of the "witnesses" mentioned that a lady in a grey car stole it? Oh, I felt horrible. Hubby laughed at me all the way home. I'm glad he found this entertaining. Me? I've resolved to leave unclaimed grocery items where they are and to stop watching so much Oprah.