The Adventures of the Mighty Sally

Life on Planet Sally

2009-01-27T20:20:00.000-08:00

I know we are well into the new year, but I do hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and are well on their way to achieving all those resolutions. As for moi, I made no resolutions whatsoever this year. It's not that I am a lazy citizen or an apathetic person, it's just that this year I am going to be a realist and not make any silly commitments to myself that I cannot keep.

These days I am happy to make it home from work in one piece and still have some energy to keep up with my spunky toddler. I usually eat dinner standing by the counter while I'm chasing Simone around the kitchen. We play a few games before bath and bedtime and I often pass out on the couch after my lame attempt at cleaning the kitchen. Are there other Moms out there feeling the same level of exhaustion and lack of interest in everything? I just can't seem to catch up these days!

So, this year there will be no attempts to go to the gym regularly, I will probably eat too much ice cream and cookies, my house will be a cluttered mess, and my wardrobe will consist of jeans and t-shirts. I think the biggest promise I can make to myself is to try to enjoy the days I have with my family and not get too overwhelmed by the day to day madness. That is my goal until I can reclaim some personal time and refocus a little attention back to myself. Now, I'm going to upload this photo and check out my favourite blogs before I get ready for bed and gear up for another day of insanity!! Good night friends!

Illustration Friday - Strings

2008-10-16T20:31:00.001-07:00

I suppose this image hasn't got much to do with the word "strings", except for the fact that the little piggy is hanging onto strings from the balloon. But it has been ages since I posted anything for illustration friday, so I thought I'd just submit this illustration anyways.

My style this week is actually quite far from my typical watercolour/painting style. Lately I've been doing loads of photoshop work at my crazy job and I have been inspired by a lot of new digital illustration out there. Artists like Alberto Cerriteño and Camille Rose Garcia. I have never been a huge fan of digital illustration until I heard about these talented artists. Rather than the flat, sterile look of vector art which I have always found unappealing, they have added depth, organic detail and texture to their illustration. In my opinion, they have pushed digital illustration to another level, and it has inspired me to try my hand at it as well. Of course, I do plan to get out the watercolours and ink again, but for now I'm exploring the world of photoshop and truly enjoying it for the first time ever!

Life in the Fast Lane

2008-08-22T20:52:00.000-07:00

Ok, just in case there is anyone out there who may stumble upon this blog...the Mighty Sally still exists! Lots going on and not even an extra moment to sit down and tell you about it until now. Here is the quick update since my last post:

Simone turned one year old. Yay! I must say, I am relieved to get past the "baby" stage of parenting. This was probably the toughest year of my life and the fact that we survived, completely in tact, was definitely worth celebrating! Now, onto the next challenge...the toddler years.
After re-entering the workforce and settling into a routine, everything started to fall into place. I learned to speak adult language again, and found a few moments to myself in the form of lunch break.
After going back to work, I promptly found another job here and quit my old job here. Start up company, exciting projects, better salary, better benefits...how could I refuse?? Well, the timing was a bit awkward, but hey, we can't always pick and choose when opportunity will make an appearance!
Simone started walking a few days after her b-day!! Huge milestone and we are so proud.

With all this change going on, I am one big ball of tension! Starting back into the workforce was a challenge in itself, but of course I had to complicate it by finding a new job. Stress is at a level 10 right now and it is attacking me in the form of hives, fatigue and moodiness. Geez. You cannot imagine how many times this week I've asked myself: What are you doing???

I hope I will have a chance to update you again soon . In the meantime, check out my art portfolio which I slapped together for the job interview. It would have been nice to create a nice fancy portfolio website from scratch, but really, who has the time?? Certainly not this mommy!

Back to Reality

2008-07-10T20:16:00.000-07:00

So, the year long honeymoon, also known as my maternity leave, has ended. I have been thrown back into reality, a daily rat race complete with crowded trains, cubicles and cold saran wrap sandwiches. No more happy baby gurgles to greet after nap, no more funny smiles or sloppy baby kisses. Instead, my days are filled with the corporate jargon of the hour and the painful drone of my computer.

It has been a tough first week back at work. I still have friday to get through before the precious weekend with my family. But Simone has been a trooper! She has handled this transition with relative ease, all the credit goes to her wonderful Papa who has chosen to be her main caregiver while I bring home the bacon. (And Oh, how we've missed those paychecks!) They have spent the week frolicking about the neighbourhood - walks to the park, hikes by the ocean and visits to the YMCA. They're having a blast, and I must admit I feel like I'm missing out! I call them at least 3 times a day to see what is going on.
Mr. Hubby, who I shall now refer to as Papa Harry, has decided to journal his new role as Mr. Mom. He's created a brand new blog where he relays all the crazy situations from the day, and I think it may help me feel a little less out of the loop. If you want a chuckle, you should go there immediately! Many silly situations are a-brewing when Mom leaves the house.

In the meantime, I will be updating this blog as I can. This is a stressful time and we all need to adjust. I'd love to knit or draw to ease some of the tension, but the reality is that I'm running at fully speed until 9pm and by then I just want to put my feet up and watch some mind numbing reality show. I do hope it gets easier soon because leaving the house each morning brings on the worst knot of anxiety I've had in a long time. I hate missing out. I hate saying goodbye to my family. But I just keep telling myself, going to work is the best thing I can do for my family right now. It will make me a better mom...right? Suddenly I can relate to all those articles about the "guilty working mom". Well, here's hoping my next post has lots of happy times to share! Now go over the Papa Harry's blog and have a laugh :)

Out of Office

2008-05-26T13:36:00.000-07:00

The summer weather is officially upon us and we have been very busy enjoying lots of family time and the glorious sun. My lack of blogging is a result of a visit to Grand Forks to visit the in-laws - we just got back into town at the end of last week and in a couple weeks we are off again to my hometown to visit my folks. Needless to say, blog posts will continue to be sporadic from this end.
Time is ticking and I can feel my anxiety growing. My maternity leave is nearly done; I have less than 2 months before I'm expected back at work. There are moments when I am overwhelmed by feelings of anticipation, dread and guilt. But mostly, I am just trying to enjoy every minute with Simone. Each day she is changing and we are having so much more fun now - I do wish these days could last forever.

A Beautiful Mother's Day

2008-05-11T13:01:00.000-07:00

It shouldn't be a surprise that Mother's Day has taken on a whole new meaning to me. But strangely enough, all week I've been thinking of this day and how I've developed a whole new appreciation for my mom, my mom-in-law, and all the other mothers who share this incredible role.
Mr. Hubby was extremely thoughtful and generous to me. Not only did he surprise me with this stunning bouquet and gorgeous antique tea pot, but he also let me sleep in late this morning and made a trip through the tim horton's drive-thru for fresh coffee and egg sandwiches. Ok, I know that a drive-thru for coffee and sandwiches isn't exactly a mother's day brunch. But first of all, we are on a tight budget and secondly, if you have had one of these egg sandwiches, you would understand what all the fuss is about.
I also wanted to share a photo for this weeks "This is..." post.
This set of dishes reminds me of my Mom. She served every meal on these dishes when I was a kid; including chicken casseroles, soups, spaghetti, roast beef and cream of wheat. I remember studying the flower design while pushing the peas and beans around on my plate - always trying to avoid eating any vegetable. Lots of memories of my mom setting the table, serving us dinner, and making daily conversation. Thanks for all the good times Mom!

This is...

2008-05-10T20:41:00.000-07:00

I've missed this meme the last couple weeks, and now I'm all confused. I thought this week's theme was the "flashback photo", where we are to post a photo of us pre-1985. But apparently I am wrong, and there is a new topic regarding Mother's day. I'm totally in for that one and will post again tomorrow.
But for now, here is a silly little pic of yours truly - proud as punch in my bucked tooth and frilly pink collar glory. I think it was taken in 1981, but I really don't know for sure. What I would like to know is how the heck my hair stayed so straight back then. I want it back! LOL.

Free Embroidery Pattern!

2008-05-06T20:36:00.001-07:00

Well, it's about time I start sharing something on this blog. Recently I've been getting this nagging feeling that my blog is far too selfish. I spend so much time soaking up inspiration from all the fantastic blogs out there, but I'm not making any effort to give back. And since I'm on a crazy embroidery kick lately, I thought it's about time I share something. Here is a quick little pattern that I sketched up last week which I call "Quiet Birds".
I always find the repetitive stitches of embroidery (and knitting) to bring me incredible peace. Some may find it tedious or boring, but some days, I could just go on and on stitching forever! Anyways, I hope this pattern brings some inspiration to others out there. If you do stitch it up, please send me an email with a photo! I would love to see how you interpret the image. And thanks again for all the inspiration out there. Happy stitching!

Directions: To print the pattern, click on the image below and save to your desktop and print or just print from the source. You can adjust the size with a photocopier or in your printing options. (Since I haven't yet mastered Adobe Illustrator, you will have to live with a hand drawn sketch...eventually I will learn how to make vectors. Until then, please bear with me!)
I used several different stitches when I embroidered the pattern which you can see in the photo above, but even just a straight stitch would look wonderful. I also think it would be lovely as redwork or blackwork. Have fun!

Embroidered "S" Keepsake

2008-05-01T20:40:00.000-07:00

I finished it! Here are some pictures:
I had to get everyone together in the crib to document the keepsake pillow. As you can see it is a green elephant march for the bedding theme.And here is a silly picture of Simone as a science experiment (just for the heck of it).
Hubby's idea: how much static energy can we produce from rubbing our baby's head with a blue fleece blanket. Obviously she was on board!

Look Who's on the Move!

2008-04-30T13:35:00.000-07:00

Look out world, here she comes!

(Oh dear, I just realized that I exposed my cluttered living room. Now you all know what kind of housekeeper I am. Please just watch the cute baby, try to ignore the mess!)

Show and Tell

2008-04-28T08:28:00.001-07:00

It's been awhile since I posted anything crafty, so here are some of my latest projects.

A tea cozy that I made for my mom from this book.
The picture along side the pattern was so enticing that I just had to make it...but somehow it just didn't turn out quite as beautiful as I anticipated. In fact, it has also doubled as a silly toque in our house. Do you still want it, Mom?
I'm not sure if you remember this post, but finally, after all this time I got around to finishing the rocking chair. I'm on a bit of an embroidery streak these days.
On the go, I've got Simone's quilted pillow. I wanted to personalize it for her, along with some pretty flowers in pink, red and blue.
Hope you are all enjoying a lovely Monday morning. It's raining out here, but it hasn't affected my bright mood. Last night was the first time in 9 1/2 months that I didn't have to get out of my bed! Simone slept an entire 11 hours and only woke up once to kibitz for 15 minutes. After a few nights of painful sleep training, our little stinker is pulling the long shut eye. I'm so proud of her and I'm ecstatic to begin recovering from sleep deprivation. Hooray for sleep!

Didn't Make the Cut

2008-04-24T19:55:00.001-07:00

Just thought I'd share a little ink drawing I did for mr. hubby's Creative Writing Guild.
Unfortunately, the group decided to go with an artwork by one of their fellow students rather than mine. Which is fine. Really. I mean, it's a beautiful painting they chose and I do love the colours. So I'm over it. Completely. In fact, click here so you can have a look see for yourself. I'll be over here waiting for your return. LOL
Sorry, Hubby Hubberson, I just had to give you a hard time ;) Tee hee.

This is...

2008-04-20T14:20:00.000-07:00

This is my latest discovery.

Simone sprouted her first 2 teeth!
I couldn't figure out why she was so incredibly cranky for the last few weeks until one morning last week I discovered a pearly white poking through. Yes, it all makes sense now. And thankfully I have my happy baby back. At least until the next evil whitey decides to rear it's ugly head.

I heart British Columbia

2008-04-15T20:47:00.000-07:00

Here is a little piece of heaven that we experienced this past weekend. Our friends live and work on a small island off the shore of North Vancouver called Anvil Island. We had a wonderful time enjoying the scenery and soaking in the peace and quiet.
When I'm visiting local places like this, I can't imagine ever living anywhere else.
Simone also enjoyed the luxurious spring sunshine. I can't believe she just turned 9 months!

This is...

2008-04-14T20:24:00.000-07:00

This is...my perfect dinner party.I can't say my imaginary dinner party would be filled with deep, intelligent conversation. I have chosen people based on pure entertainment. Oh, and a couple awkward moments between Martha Stewart and Conan O'Brien, I absolutely love the chemistry between them. Also, I just realized that my dream job would have to be working on the Martha Stewart show, organizing all the cooking and craft demos. So, I need to be seated next to her so I can possibly schmooz myself a job. I've had a secret crush on Jack Black since he put out that movie, School of Rock. And Gordon Ramsay would be there just to criticize the food (which I would hire a catering company to do, by the way) and keep everyone humble. Ellen and Portia seem like a super hilarious couple and I'd really like to meet them. There you have it...my perfect dinner party. I can't wait to meet everyone :)

Illustration Friday ~ Save

2008-04-10T14:22:00.001-07:00

My doodle for illustration friday.
I ran out of watercolour paper and the next best thing was a grocery bag. It got me thinking of groceries which, for some reason, led me to think about milk...or perhaps spilled milk. And what is the point of trying to save it? "No sense crying over spilled milk" is how the saying goes. So there you have it. Now you know my strange mental process to get to this illustration.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Enjoying the moment

2008-04-07T21:12:00.001-07:00

These last few weeks have been wonderful and exhausting all at once...but maybe a bit more on the exhausting side of things. Our button, Simone, is not a very good sleeper. She is nearly 9 months old and has never slept through the night and she doesn't really nap much longer than 30 minutes these days.
I think many other Mom's have experienced a baby like this, and I can't help but think they all handle it miles better than I can. But I desperately miss sleep. I miss closing my eyes and waking up on my own, well rested and cheerful. Instead, I am jolted awake more than a few times each night to the sound of my baby crying for me and I find myself jumping out of bed before I even know where I am.
Now, I am not one of those people who can manage on 5 or 6 hours of sleep a night. I've always needed a minimum of 8 hours of solid sleep a night in order to function properly. So you can imagine what I must be like after 8 1/2 months of this sort of broken sleep. I am often cranky, depressed and always obsessing over any sort of sleep issue. I haven't had the energy to do my hair or put on make up (even though the dark circles under my eyes are begging for it!) and never mind my wardrobe...I still haven't shed those last 10 pounds! My poor hubby. To say we are both looking forward to the first night that Simone sleeps 10 hours straight, is definitely the understatement of the year.
Well, now that I've given you the long winded pity party of my current situation, I should tell you that I am making every effort to cherish these days. Before I know it, Simone is going to be running around, blabbing away and I'm going to wonder what happened to those sweet infant days.
I must make the effort to stop, take a moment and consciously appreciate the time I have with her. The way her little fingers reach out and scratch, pinch or poke new objects and her knuckles get so round and dimpled.
...The way she smiles just for me
...The way she absorbs the world around her. What is she thinking anyway?
When I think of those little things, I can get through each day.

This is...

2008-04-06T13:53:00.000-07:00

This is my jewelry box. Simple, functional and completely sentimental.
Harry's Uncle Bob from Grand Forks made this for us a couple years back. He and his wife Helen (whom Simone Helen is named after), are the most wonderful, generous folks I have met. Uncle Bob has a quaint little workshop in the backyard where he spends most of his time trying to come up with little projects to make out of scraps and leftover wood he finds around town. I guess you could say he is a "green" woodworker. I am honoured to have this jewelry box, it means a great deal to both Harry and I that we have something made by Bob. Even though I don't have a great deal of jewelry, this box will always have a special place in our home.

Pay it Forward for my 100th post!

2008-04-05T20:14:00.000-07:00

Hello all! I just realized that I have officially posted 100 times on this blog. Woot!

I am so grateful for this blog. It is my own space in this world where I can express myself however I choose. The blogging world has proven to be an incredible source of inspiration and encouragement and so far I have made many wonderful cyber friends. Thanks to all of you out there who have read my posts (even the lame ones!) and left so many lovely comments for me.

So, on this celebratory note, I am so excited to announce that I am participating in pay it forward! I found out about it on Flossy-p's blog and hopped on the bandwagon as soon as I read her post. Now I can participate, so here is how it goes:

The first three people to comment on this post will receive a gift from me, sometime within the next 365 days. Who knows when it will turn up, or what it will be, but rest assured, it will arrive. All you have to do is promise to make the same declaration on your blog, and send out gifts to three of your lovely readers.

I'll also choose a random blogger to send a gift to, so leave a comment, even if you're not in the first three! Make sure I can contact you in some way, either via blog or email.

In the next 365 days I'll be getting a parcel from Flossy-p, and in turn, I must send out a handmade gift to 3 more people. And on it goes...so hurry up and leave a comment already! I can't wait to send out some handmade goodness.

Illustration Friday ~ Homage

2008-04-02T21:42:00.000-07:00

An homage to the hollow tree
The hollow tree is a massive red cedar located in Stanley Park, Vancouver and just this last week it was announced that the tree has had the biscuit and it will have to come down in May. This giant tree has been a part of the Vancouver park for 1,000 years; however, due to the severe storms that hit our area in 2006 and the ripe old age of this beauty, the tree poses a safety threat and now we must say farewell.

This is...

2008-03-31T14:11:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-25T20:20:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-03-24T20:23:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-18T20:48:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-03-16T09:43:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-12T10:11:00.000-07:00

No one can make her laugh like Papa :)

This is...

2008-03-11T11:17:00.000-07:00

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

2008-03-05T19:32:00.000-08:00

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

2008-03-02T13:14:00.000-08:00

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.

This is...

2008-02-23T20:19:00.000-08:00

This is...Me Taking A Picture of Myself In the Mirror With My Favourite Accessory. An excellent topic offered by Jhoanna from One Red Robin

Well, it isn't the most elegant accessory, but the Baby Bjorn seems to be the best solution to having a sore arm and back from carrying around the little one. Yeah, she's getting a bit big for this carrier, but I love that her head is in the perfect position for lots of smooches. I'll miss that when she completely outgrows it.

Also, please note the headband which has become a regular accessory since I became a mother. I do dream of the day when I will have the time to blow dry my hair and straighten it just like in the old days. But until then, this thing is a bad hair lifesaver.
Hope you're all enjoying the weekend. Simone sends her love!

Our Babbling Bubby

2008-02-23T20:11:00.000-08:00

Illustration Friday ~ Theory

2008-02-20T10:10:00.001-08:00

Hooray for me! I've finished and illustration in time for the Friday deadline :)

I immediately thought of music theory when the theme was announced. Studying theory as a kid, I often felt like this guy trying to put notes together on a page - it was often tedious and painful. Eventually I did appreciate it, but I always preferred to play the music rather than write it out!

This is...

2008-02-17T09:12:00.000-08:00

I found this fun little meme through Flossy-p the other day and decided I had to play...even if they don't let me in because I am a bit late. Each week a new theme is introduced, we then post a photo about it and share it with everyone. This week's theme:

This is...what makes me laugh out loud

Ok, I can't believe I'm sharing this photo, because it really does age me. It's a photo of Mr. hubby and yours truly when we first started dating - I think we were both around 19 years old. But I giggle everytime I see it because I think we look so hilarious. From the outdated clothing and hairstyles to the bad shadows created from a cheap camera flash. It just cracks me up - Geez, I feel old!
Oh, and one other thing that makes me laugh is Dwight Schrute...Thank goodness the writers strike is over! I'm dying to watch more of the Office. Every thursday night I find myself weak with laughter from all the Dwight quotes.

On Email Surveillance:
Dwight Schrute: I think one of the greatest things about modern America is the computerization of medical records. As a volunteer sheriff I can look up anyone's psychiatric records or surgical histories. Yeast infections...there are a huge number of yeast infections in this county. Probably because we're downriver from that old bread factory...

Illustration Friday ~ Choose

2008-02-15T14:05:00.000-08:00

Sigh...I'm late with my submission. Again. This drawing sat on the coffee table for days while I cared for Simone. Day in and day out it watched me and at every nap and bedtime I quickly grabbed my pen and scratched a few more lines. But I sure enjoy drawing with ink...I had forgotten how much fun it can be. I shall do another one soon!

Illustration Friday ~ Blanket

2008-02-09T08:41:00.001-08:00

Ok, it's Saturday and I'm late with my entry. But considering this is my first submission in over a year, I think finishing this painting and actually posting it is quite a success for me. In the spirit of Valentine's day, I decided to create a blanket of roses for a beautiful bed of roses. And, wow, am I ever rusty! I will try to get another illustration out for next week. Hopefully I can get back into things and make some improvements soon! Happy Saturday!

Finally!

2008-02-05T19:36:00.001-08:00

Well, here we are. It's February and I've finally got a few minutes here and there to do something for my creative self. Simone is almost 7 months old now and she is sitting up all on her own! Ok, almost on her own. She teeters back and forth and falls over most of the time, but she manages to sit long enough to examine a new toy, the edge of a blanket or her own hands. It is so fun to watch her play and it is even better to make something with my own free hands at the same time.

Lately I've begun to build a scrapbook for Simone's first year. I've resisted this crafty outlet for a long time simply because I didn't want to add another addiction to my list when I barely have the time to knit a square. But with a new baby I've been given so many fun little stickers, paper and a beautiful scrapbook to fill with pictures of my bubby. I can resist no longer...the scrapbooking has taken over our entire kitchen table. Poor hubby only has a small corner for his laptop and books. Sorry!

Anyways, in the spirit of scrapbooking, I've been inspired to create keepsakes of Simone's favourite toys. I didn't want to just take a picture, and I know I won't save the toys forever. So, I decided to paint little portraits of them. They are so sweet and I'll add them to the scrapbook as soon as I'm done. Here is a peek at 3 I finished over the last couple days. It feels really good to get the watercolours out again! Even if it is only one colour :)

And of course I cannot resist sharing a picture of my little bunny - she makes her mama so proud.

Hello? Is anyone out there?

2007-12-18T20:56:00.000-08:00

Could it possibly be the Christmas season already? I could have sworn that summer had just ended and I was in the hospital staring into the eyes of this new human I call daughter. Suddenly I look around and wonder who put the lights up and where is that choral music coming from? Yikes, I am still in a mommy fog. I now understand the well known saying that goes: "parenting is the most selfless thing you will ever do". I have been living this statement for 5 months now and it has been the most fantastic and insane time of my life. I feel we have won the baby lottery and have received the most beautiful girl that we could have hoped for. I'm sure every parent feels this way when they get to know their babies. It is truly the most amazing feeling.

I am not going to lie to you...things are still incredibly challenging. I feel like I will be sleep deprived forever and may never have much time for myself. I constantly dream of paintings and projects that immediately get shelved in my mental idea log when Simone wakes from a nap or starts cranking for my attention. I suppose it will be awhile before I have the time or energy to do anything other than care for my bubby or sleep. I have many plans for this blog and one day I will achieve them again. I miss posting and I miss finding endless inspiration all over blogland. Until then I will be here at home focusing all my attention on this little delight.

I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday and perhaps you will see more of me in the new year...that is if I can figure out a way to adapt to this parenting lifestyle of broken sleep.

Bienvenue Simone Helen!

2007-08-20T21:45:00.000-07:00

Ok, I've logged onto Blogger 4 times over the last 5 weeks to post an update, and each time as I typed my password, the cries from the baby monitor interrupted any progress I could make. But I'm learning very quickly that life with a baby is filled with interruptions...and messy kitchens and cluttered living rooms and absolutely no more time for myself. I can guarantee this post will have several grammar errors and spelling mistakes, simply because I must type very fast and post before the interruption occurs again!

But how could I get upset with this gorgeous face?? My cousin Christy was over a couple weekends ago to take some photos of our precious girl, and I'm pleased as punch how they all turned out!

What a whirlwind we have been caught up in over the last month! I've never experienced quite an emotional roller coaster since Simone has arrived. We took heed of all the warnings that life with baby would be difficult to adjust to but, wow, I had no idea it would be THIS difficult. The hormonal changes, the recovery from surgery and labour, the sleep deprivation, the constant crying...and then more crying, and let's not forget the incredible challenge that breastfeeding presents. I had no idea it could be so unnatural - breastfeeding is definitely a learned skill. I have now learned it is NOT as easy as those moms at the mall make it look. But one other valuable lesson I have learned is that this period of adjustment is temporary and since we got back from the hospital each week has been a vast improvement from the last and this has made me hopeful! I am certainly looking forward to Simone sleeping 5 hours in one go and I'm even more anxious to see her smile and respond to us. Right now I wonder if she sees me as more than her milk factory and nappy changer - hmm... probably not.

But so far, there have been many magical moments. I still can't get over the enormous amount of love and protectiveness that continues to grow within me each time I see her. When I watch her feeding I try to imprint her beautiful face in my memory...already she has changed so much and I hope I can always remember her sweet newborn smell. She is beautiful and I feel incredibly lucky to have her as my own. She is most definitely a gift that I hope I never take for granted....even when she cries for 3 hours straight and is completely inconsolable. These are challenging times, but the face of an innocent baby puts it all into perspective. Now if I can just figure out how to put my baby to sleep in less than 45 minutes, that would make a world of difference!

A Star is Born!

2007-07-21T13:43:00.000-07:00

We are home with our new baby girl Simone Helen! She was born last Saturday, July 14th at 9am - healthy, happy and ready to take on the world! After a very LONG labour she decided that she didn't want to come through my pelvis and we ended up in the OR for a C-section. We're home now and happy to be recovering in familiar surroundings.

You can check out more pictures here and when I have some more time, I'll write more about this whole experience that has completely turned our lives upside down!

The Return of the Nesting Instinct

2007-07-07T14:52:00.000-07:00

I've had a very productive week :) No sign of a baby yet, but I was struck with short bursts of energy and a sudden realization of "Omigosh, if I don't get to this NOW, it will NEVER get done!"...This nesting instinct has come and gone over the last month or so, but this week it hit me with new level of urgency. I suppose this means that labour could begin at any moment. My due date is actually July 17th, so theoretically I have 10 days to go, but everyday I wake up wondering if today will be the day. Half the time I'm completely nervous to go through the unknowns of labour and the even more frightening prospect of taking care of another person, but the other half of the time I'm so incredibly uncomfortable and ready to get this extra weight off my body that I want labour to start this very instant! Perhaps in a couple more days I will only think the latter thought...or so I hope!

Well, these "bursts" of energy don't exactly last long, so I've been trying to make the most of them. Besides cleaning all the kitchen cupboards, filing away stacks of documents and bills, and reorganizing all the closets again, I've finally got the nursery in order...check it out!

Here is the welcome wagon anxiously awaiting the new arrival!

And the quilt that I finally got around to finishing and binding - geez, that project took way too long to complete!

I even had some extra fabric to whip up this pillow and I also knit up my first little stuffy just for baby. The elephant blanket was a gift from my parents - I love this crib set. It's from Target, designed by Amy Coe.

Well, that's it for now. I suppose I will have another week of projects ahead of me to post for you again...unless I am busy trying to induce labour on my own or I become so fatigued that I can no longer get off the couch OR even better, I go into labour. But, hey, let's not jinx anything :)

Counting days

2007-07-01T19:07:00.000-07:00

Ok folks...I'm in the homestretch now. And honestly, I am amazed that I have the energy to sit here and make a blog entry. Lately it seems to take everything in me just to shift positions on the couch - not to mention get up and walk to the bathroom. The computer is a major stretch for me right now! My belly is something to behold - I am in awe at the size it has become and somewhat freaked out to think how this watermelon is going to get out. I read in one of my preggo books that a woman isn't fully pregnant until her belly has corners - ie. the baby's elbows, feet, fists, poking out. I never understood that until the last couple weeks when the alien movements became visible from the outside. We are thinking there may be an alien in there! Yikes!

I'm so relieved that work is done and I'm officially on mat leave - I have been off one week so far and it has been exactly what I needed. Napping, resting, eating and watching movies have been the main events of my daily routine now. Already I miss all my co-workers and the social part of my job. But I don't miss hiding my dozing eyes or fighting to comprehend my colleague's explanations. My brain has completely gone in the last month or so...I really do hope it returns eventually.

Another good part of taking an early mat leave is that I have been able to catch up on some crafty projects and work on some illustrations. There were 3 other moms to be in my department at work and we're all due around the same time. Talk about bonding time with the girls! We all had a great time sharing experiences and comparing our bellies. I am the first of us in line, so I guess that means I'll pave the way - unless of course the baby is stubborn and doesn't want to come out on time! I spent some time last week making more bitty booties and doing some quick knitting for each of them. I didn't do nearly as much as I had intended - simply because I am the worst procrastinator and my energy level is in the pits. But here is what I accomplished:
Assuming I won't go into labour next week, here is a rough list of my upcoming activities: pack bag for the hospital, finish ATC for Flossy-p, finish embroidery for Babelfish, wash all baby clothes and re-organize nursery, nap, rest, watch movies, buy nursing bras and a large maternity knit dress/tent to wear around the house (it's supposed to get up to 27 degrees by Thursday - Lord help me!)...maybe I should add a trip to the YMCA pool...

Thanks to all of you for your lovely comments and emails! It's been so fun for me to share my pregnancy experience here. Thank you for all the support!

Big Honkin Belly

2007-05-27T21:00:00.001-07:00

Well, I don't normally like to post photos of myself - especially now when I'm feeling so enormous. But I haven't posted anything in such a long time, I thought I should let my blog friends see what I've been up to lately, which really only consists of growing a baby and not a whole lot else.

I'm now at 33 weeks gestation, so only 4 more weeks until my mat leave begins and then the baby can come out anytime after that. (Please, not before!) I'm impatient to finish work so that I can stay home and nap everyday, but I don't think I'm quite ready for the reality of it all. Thank goodness there is 9 months to prepare the mind and body for the pain of childbirth as well as the huge responsibility of bringing another human into this world. It still overwhelms me from time to time, but the excitment of meeting this new person still outweighs all my anxiety. I think we'll get through this just fine, although I must admit, I would be an absolute basket case if it wasn't for the wonderful father-to-be who has doted on me since we learned about our little Cleatus. I am an incredibly lucky woman.

I am still present in the blogsphere, reading up on all my favourite blogs. It's just that I'm usually so exhausted by the end of the day, that commenting regularly just hasn't been possible. But I want you all to know that I am reading up on your posts during my lunch breaks at work and I'm loving all the creativity that is going on around there. You are all inspiring me daily, even if it isn't reflected here on my blog. I hope to join you all again someday soon!

Oscar's Lucky Quilt

2007-05-07T10:02:00.000-07:00

On April 4th, my good friends Amanda and Warren welcomed a new human into the world and they named him Oscar! The perfect name for such a perfect little guy. When I went to visit them at the hospital, I was overwhelmed by how tiny he was since I had never seen a baby who was only a day old. It kind of freaked me out to think that in a few months I'd have one of my own, but when I saw how easy Amanda made motherhood look in such a short period, it didn't take long for my nerves to calm down. It's quite amazing to see those motherly instincts kick in so fast.

Last week, I attended a shower for little Oscar. I had been working on a quilt for him over the last couple weeks and managed to get it done in the nick of time. I called it Oscar's lucky quilt because of the red squares and Asian prints. Here is the lucky quilt in all it's glory. Welcome to the world Oscar!

Also, I have got a second wind for making stuff for our own little one and I made a pair of bitty booties. I had found the most unique trim at the salvation army last fall and finally got around to using them. The little balloons go perfect with the felted wool I picked up a couple weeks ago. I really can't wait to see if these actually stay on a baby's feet - I have made a couple pairs for friends, but have no idea if they were actually useful or not. Anyways, I shall soon find out for myself.

Now that the arrival time is getting a bit closer, it is really fun to start accumulating little baby things here and there. I have taken a couple days off so that we can start hunting for the big essentials like car seats and strollers. Hopefully we can stay focused and not come home with a bunch of useless baby gadgets. Eeek. Wish us luck ;)

What is going on?

2007-04-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

Well, I am still here. I am the hopeless sporadic blogger now as I am so busy with work and nesting....and growing! It's amazing how important home has become to me in the past couple months. I've reorganized closets and cupboards, cleaned the fridge (although it really needs it again!). We've sorted and purged all sorts of things and driven a carload of junk to the Salvation Army to make space for all things baby. A couple weekends ago we painted our soon to be nursery a honeydew green. It is pretty bright, but I think it looks fresh and happy now that I'm used to it.

And good news! I can knit again :) I've finally finished a little sweater which I started last October! Geez that was difficult. But I think I'm on a role and already have some patterns for stuffies I'd like to make.

I'm also working on another quilt, but that is all I can reveal about it for now since it is a gift for a certain someone and I'm not sure if she would happen to come across this posting...

Oh, and here is a (very blurry) peek at the emerging belly. And let me tell you, it is popping! This week marks my official entrance into the third trimester. It is the final stretch, only three more months until I meet the little boxer growing inside me. I am dying to meet him/her!

Visual DNA

2007-04-12T08:10:00.000-07:00

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

I've been wanting to post this for awhile, and I finally have a few minutes this morning to get it up. Flossy-p, Love Squalor and Red Button Tree have started the trend and I just wanted to join in the fun! Hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend - I'll be posting an update on my current adventures very soon!

Quilting Doubts

2007-03-03T19:14:00.001-08:00

So, in preparation for the new addition which is slow cooking in my belly, I've decided I must make a keepsake for him/her. A couple weeks ago, I went a little crazy in the quilting store down the street from us and picked up a collection of bright cheerful fabrics to get going on my a baby quilt. I figured these colours would all look so cute together and appeared to coordinate perfectly at the store. Well, here I am in the middle of fabric squares, realizing that the colours just don't jive all that well. I have spent several evenings putting patch next to patch trying to figure out how I am going to make this work, but I'm just not happy at all with any results. This quilt will be completed, the only problem is I don't know if I will actually want to keep it. At any rate, I will keep you posted and share the finished product once I get there.

You may be wondering why I am not knitting up a storm for this baby - considering I made this for my nephew and these cuties for friend's babies. I must share with you that since I've found myself pregnant, I cannot stomach knitting. Yes, this is very bizarre, but every time I sit down and try to knit a row, I get ultra nauseous - similar to how I'd feel if I were on a small boat in a torrential ocean storm. How can that be? Initially I thought it would pass after the 1st trimester, thinking that it was all related to morning sickness; but, I am now 5 months along and still I suffer from this horrible ailment. I am beginning to think this baby does not want me to knit - I'm not sure what he/she has against it, but it certainly is opinionated. We're definitely going to have a chat about that when we meet in July.

(**Please stop reading now if you are tired of my pregnancy babbles...)

In other pregnancy news, I am gaining weight at super scary speed and this baby is growing faster than I imagined. The doctor has assured me that this weight gain is pretty normal due to the size of our fetus; Cletus is going to be a big baby according the U/S measurements. Sounds like we can expect a whopping 8lb. baby. All things appear healthy, but I can't help but become overly self-conscious about all the fat that is being deposited on my body. I've always maintained my weight and this is the first time I've felt powerless about it. Poor Hubby is so tired of me complaining about my growing hips, butt and belly. I am working on my attitude to simply surrender my body to this little person growing inside me...but let me tell you, it is tough! I really had no idea it would be so difficult to let go of my body. Did any other moms out there struggle with this? I just know that I'm going to have a lot of work ahead of me after this baby comes if I want to get into my favourite jeans again. Bring on the challenge!

Illustration Friday - Gravity (late submission)

2007-03-03T18:50:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know it has been far too long since a painting has been posted on my blog, so without further delay, here is my latest piece. It is a late entry to IF, so I won't post it on the site but I thought my few visitors would like to see it. I guess you could say it is my idea of Mary Poppins, but Hubby thinks it looks more like unhappy housewives trying to escape their mundane lives. Well, whatever works I suppose.

I have been experimenting with acrylics for quite sometime, and even attempted to paint this image with the medium. But I missed my watercolours so much that I abandoned the acrylics and slid back into my comfort zone. I will revisit the acrylics, but I probably won't show anything for sometime - not until I feel comfortable working with them and I am happy with some sort of outcome. Currently the results are quite muddy as I've completely forgotten how to work with paint on canvas.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy. I will try to be more consistent with my entries but I can't promise much more than a post a week right now. Other projects I am working on include a quilt for our growing baby and a super duper embroidery I am working on for a swap with Babelfish - but that one will remain a surprise until she receives it. Yipee!

Half way there!

2007-02-21T08:13:00.000-08:00

As a proud mom to be, I just had to share my ultra sound photos with you all. We are nearly halfway through the pregnancy and doing very well. I wanted to thank all of you for your lovely comments of congratulations and well wishes to Hubby and myself. We appreciate every one!

Now, isn't this just the cutest pickle you've ever seen? Well, ok, except for the alien face shot. I do admit that is pretty scary. But the bitty foot and that perfect little nose brings a tear to my eye. I can't wait to meet this little person - but for now, I'm really enjoying my expanding belly and I'm amazed by my crazy new eating habits (I have become the bottomless pit!). I have to say that I'm really surprised by how pleased I feel with pregnancy so far. I know there are a lot of aches, pains and strange body changes ahead of me, but it is quite a miracle to know there is someone in there. I don't think I've felt this little guy or girl move yet, although when I'm working out, I can feel something going on. I'm still not clear if it is actual fetal movement or if I'm just sloshing everything around and it is causing extra gas...

And on the subject of guy vs. girl - I'm pretty chocked about the gender determination restrictions out here. I was 19 weeks to the day when I got this ultra sound done and just dying to know the sex of our baby. I was looking forward to this day for weeks! The first question to the technician was "could you please tell us the sex of our baby?" And his response was, "Sorry, no can do until 24 weeks." Arg. He said I could blame it on the cultural issues of this area which has affected all parents to be. It seems that certain couples have actually gone to the extreme of aborting a perfectly healthy baby after discovering the baby's sex to be inappropriate according to some crazy cultural guidelines. I just find this so outrageous and incredibly sad. I also heard that this is only a problem in the Vancouver area, and in most other parts of Canada, they will tell you the sex of the baby at anytime. Anyways, I suppose we will have to wait, and the important thing is to know the baby is healthy and growing. But I am tempted to make an appt for 3D ultrasound. I am seriously considering it since I just found out that my benefits will actually cover it.

Ok, enough on the baby update. In other Sally news, I am working on a painting right now so I should have it up by the weekend sometime. For my b-day last November I received a set of acrylics and a couple blank canvases, so lately I have been experimenting. I must admit, I find this medium quite challenging after working with watercolours and ink for the last while, but I'm determined to get something done with them. And as soon as I do, I'll be sure to share it with you. Wish me luck!

Embroidery Swap

2007-02-10T18:42:00.000-08:00

Back in October, I signed up for Faun's embroidery swap - my first ever swap within the blogging community. And how exciting it was to see this surprise in the mail!

I got this hilarious embroidery from Fizzelstix (sorry about the poor quality picture - click on her name to link to better photos on her blog). The embroidery is entitled "spank the chicken" where a beaver appears to be about to swat the chicken with a whisk. I love her quirky sense of humour and she is a super talented illustrator. I've been eyeing her blog for quite some time now. You can also see a better photo of my embroidery at this link since she has obviously swapped with me.

And as an added bonus, Faun threw in a print of her illustration! I am so happy to have a piece of her art. I love her style and the print is such excellent quality. I must learn her printing secrets.

Both these items are perfect decor for the baby's room. I'm anxious to frame the print and hang it up. And I think I will make a special little pillow (perhaps to hang on the door knob?) with the embroidery. Love them both - thank you thank you to both these talented artists! I'll be sure to update you all on the items when they are in their proper spaces.

5 Things

2007-01-25T10:18:00.000-08:00

I've been tagged by Flossy-p with a fun little game called "5 things" which means I must now share 5 things about myself that I haven't left on my blog. Well, what a great way to get my butt in gear and post something already. Thanks Flossy! It is no secret that I have been in a funk for quite awhile now and I just haven't wanted to post anything since I figured I'd be moaning and complaining the entire time and who the heck wants to read about that! Well, here is a nice format for me get back into the groove, it is also a fun way for me to make my BIG announcement, so please, read on!

1.) Ok, don't know how else to tell you, so here we go : I'm Pregnant! That's right folks, knocked up and getting ready to pop out a baby in mid July. I suppose that is the main reason for the uncreative rut I've been in lately. Between the fatigue and constant nausea, it was difficult to do more than eat, sleep, and pray that I wouldn't lose my lunch on the sky train. Even work was becoming unbearable! Also, if I have had any energy, I've been consumed with pregnancy books, references, and anything related to baby this and baby that...wow, never thought I'd get to this point in my life! But here I am, and holy cow, are we ever excited! (I'll be blogging more on this soon!)

2.) I grew up playing the violin and if my audition had been good enough to be accepted to Western, I would have majored in music. Currently my violin is in the closet, strings loosened, gathering dust. But I do miss playing and hope to one day revive it and join a string quartet. There is something truly magical about playing an instrument in a larger group!

3.) I secretly wish I could be a boxer. I'm not really one to spend the afternoon watching boxing matches on tv, but ever since I read Bryce Courtney's The Power of One about 5 years ago I have been quite interested in the life of a boxer. When The Contender reality show aired in 2004 (you know, the one with Stallone and Sugar Ray), I wouldn't miss a week - I was so caught up in the individual fighter's lives; the glory of the wins and the tragedy of the losses. And let's not forget about Million Dollar Baby, Clint Eastwood's finest achievement. After seeing that movie, I searched all over our neighbourhood to see if there were any boxing gyms where I could train...of course I totally chickened out and decided I'd live vicariously through Hillary Swank.

4.) I work as an artist in video games, but I have to admit that I absolutely can't stand video games...Yes, I know... What am I doing in this industry? I absolutely despise talking tech shoppe away from the office and I have a hard time explaining exactly what I do when someone asks. I suppose it's one of those careers where you wake up one day and ask yourself, how did I get here anyways? Especially when I had studied traditional animation and fine arts for 4 years. I'm not complaining, it is a great job and I love the people here. But I dream of a day where I can work from a small studio and create my own art and actually make a living from it.

5.) The last one..On the subject of jobs: The worst and toughest job I've ever had was working in a greenhouse during the hot humid Ontario summers to make money for school. Everyday for 4 months my best friend and I would leave our comfortable air conditioned homes to face the 100 degree Fahrenheit oven called a greenhouse. We'd cart around bedding plants and load them onto racks for shipping all over Ontario, Michigan and Ohio. The worst part of the job was that we'd arrive each morning with no clue when we'd leave. Early summer was so busy that we could end up working until 10pm or even midnight 7 days a week. And all this fun, for minimum wage and no over time pay. Good times! We were zombies and completely unaware of what day of the week it was. I did this for 3 summers and was so so happy to land my next job at a paint-your-own ceramics studio. It was less hours and crap pay, but I have never taken air conditioning for granted ever since. It sounds cliche, but I think every person needs a job like this to truly appreciate all the future careers/jobs they will have. I know I do!

Well, that's it folks. Now it's time for me to tag some others:

Babelfish from CrustStation (however, I think you've done this already...)
Julie from Little Cotton Rabbits
Hubby hubberson
Ken

..I'm not sure if anyone reads my blog anymore, but if you read this post, consider yourselves tagged as well. Have fun!

Stuck in the 90's

2007-01-04T19:32:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone!...yes, I know it is quite a bit overdue. But, hey, better than never, right? I have to admit, I am still in quite a rut as far as my creative activity is going. I wish I could say that Christmas was the rejuvenating break that I was expecting...Unfortunately a long plane ride to Toronto brought a dreaded cold and more exhaustion. Gotta love recycled air! It was wonderful to see the family and I did get a ton of rest while I was home. Even my Dad was concerned with the amount of time I spent crashed on the couch. So, here we are back on the west coast awaiting yet another wind storm and I feel like the break was some sort of dream and here I am back at life. I do believe I need to pick up the Artist's Way again and get a kick in my creative pants. This is getting ridiculous.
But before I dig that out again, I'd like to share with you one of my Christmas gifts. My ever so thoughtful brother and his wife were kind enough to buy me this Natalie Merchant CD which has been on my amazon wish list for about 4 years now. Don't ask me why I didn't ever just pick it up myself, I have no idea...perhaps it's because I get music amnesia every time I walk into a CD store. But I was so excited when I opened this gift because it brings back sooo many memories. My first apartment, roomates, college papers, art projects and all those years of dating Mr. Hubby. Yes, reliving the late 90's all over again :) This is the part of my life I like to remember. Forget high school, it was awkward, painful and filled with horrible decisions. But leaving home and embarking on a new beginning, new friends, and of course, no money. Sigh. Those were the days. So, off I go to listen to it again. Have you all heard of this CD? I think I am a bit stuck in the 90's , but it really is one of my faves.

Blogging Rut

2006-12-18T16:47:00.000-08:00

I'm stuck in a rut. I'm a bad blogger. I was being so good and consistent with this blog and suddenly this last month I feel like I've run out of steam. I feel tired and uncreative. Every time I sit down to start an illustration or photograph a little project, I suddenly hit this mental wall. What happened? ...I'm not really sure.
I do know that the shorter days are exhausting and that after work I can hardly do more than get up from the couch and go to bed. Perhaps the problem is that work has been creatively draining for the last while and now it has sucked any energy left for my personal projects. Yes, shocking; I know. After all the complaints I had about work being boring and pointless and suddenly it is flipped completely; now I complain that I don't have any creative energy to work on personal things. Honestly, I'm impossible to please (hubby, don't say a word!)
At this point I really want to say to you all, please don't give up on my little blog! I will be back, I promise. I plan to recharge over the holidays and buckle down with new personal projects in the new year. Embroidery, book ideas, illustrations, these are all hovering in my mind. I just need a little more time to reflect. I hope you will come visit when I am myself again!
Until then, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and all that other jazz. I'll be seeing you soon!

The Christmas Countdown

2006-12-04T20:11:00.000-08:00

Is anyone else looking around and wondering how the holiday season just sort of snuck up on us? Geez...Already December and I can hardly believe another year is coming to a close. Yesterday Hubby convinced me we needed to get into the Christmas spirit, so we busted out the decorations and lights, popped in The Sound of Music DVD and away we went. Nothing like a little Julie Andrews doe ray me to get us into a festive mood. I'm really looking forward to the break - it has been a hectic fall. Although work has been pretty slow, everything else in our lives is bustling. This would explain the lack of posts on this here blog, but I do plan to get right back on the blog horse as soon as the New year rolls around.

So, until then, please bear with my sparatic check-ins and some rushed photos of mini projects that are going on around here. The 2 stuffy ornaments below are not quite finished - I still need to find some little bells to sew to the end of the sleeping toques. But aren't they cute?

Ok, my elementary sewing skills are not exactly working for me here, but the design is the best. I found a photo (can't remember where) of Hilary Lang's ornaments she had published in a magazine. Now, I have no idea where to find this magazine - perhaps someone out there knows of this magazine and where it is sold? But the photo was so amazing, I was inspired to try to make some myself. Yes, quite risky of me to attempt a sewing project without instructions...eeek!

Well folks, that's all for now. I'm so tired these days, it is defenitely the time of year for cocooning! Ug....bring on the holiday season!

Illustration Friday ~ Invention

2006-11-29T20:48:00.000-08:00

"Eureka!" he exclaimed as he revelled in the invention. And the fish soared higher and higher - finally experiencing the wind against their gills.

Great topic this week! I really had a blast painting this one. Of course my flying fish had to make another appearance ;-)

Tiny Shiny Art

2006-11-18T19:56:00.000-08:00

Hello blog friends! I'm so excited to give you a peek at one of the Christmas projects I've been lucky enough to work on this year. I have some very talented entrepreneur friends who invited me to create original illustrations for their latest endeavour called - drum roll please....

I met Kay and Jeff through work - we are all artists working under the same big corporate roof. They always have some creative project on the go and this time I'm so thrilled to be a part of it! A couple months ago, they ordered and recieved a button maker which magically presses cute little one inch buttons - and since it arrived, they have been unstoppable! This creative duo have made fabric buttons, limited edition illustration buttons and even some originals that they've painstakingly painted/drawn/collaged at the teeny weeny 1" scale.

I've contributed some illos for Christmas and here they are as a finished product - their packaging is so slick and professional! Unfortunately my camera is rubbish, so it does nothing to display what it looks like in person; but, fortunately, they will be updating a website and since Kay has a background in photography, there will be no lame photos!

Here are the scans of what the illustrations actually look like. The buttons are so cute and I'm totally pleased with how they turned out. The big debut of all the buttons will be at a local craft show here in Coquitlam, BC on Dec. 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Check out tiny shiny art for the details if you are in the area - you do not want to miss out! They also have big plans to build up a website so everyone can shop for these gems - and they even plan to expand with other shiny product lines. I'll be sure to keep you posted.

So, there you have it folks. My big excuse as to why I have been so inconsistent with Illustration Friday and creative posts in general. I'm knitting away for some xmas gifts and I'm even sewing some ornaments for family stocking stuffers. I just really hope I can finish everything in time - the countdown has officially begun. Tick tock!

Welcome November

2006-11-14T18:52:00.000-08:00

Well, it finally hit me that winter has arrived. We just got back from a weekend at the in laws in Grand Forks and we were struck with a dump of snow there and back. The lower mainland is experiencing major downpours, but the interior of BC is definitely seeing the white stuff.

I can't say the weather has brought on any sort of Christmas spirit - I regret to disappoint anyone, but I'm really not the most festive person when it comes to this holiday season (I know... bah humbug). I love the time with family and friends - all the eating and drinking...and eating some more. But it is such an exhausting time. Already I am overwhelmed with lists of things to do before December 25th.

But here we are, suddenly it is November. And time is certainly not slowing down for anyone. Last week we got the shocking news that Hubby lost his job (it looks like his boss is selling the business). This was difficult information to process, but now that we've had the week to mull it over - I feel surprisingly calm and hopeful for his future; our future. Sometimes we need to be pushed out of old comfort zones in order to move ahead in life.

And on the subject of being pushed forward...tomorrow brings another birthday for yours truly. *Sigh*...where does the time go? Last year was the big 30, and I was so traumatized about falling into the next decade that I didn't really pay attention to any aging that was affecting my body or mind. But I have to say, I do feel the age this year. I'm pulling out a lot more grey hairs and I notice that I shop for eye cream that contains anti-aging remedies. Also, I don't seem to keep the brownies or chocolate off my hips the way I used to and I noticed a frightening sag in the skin just below my chin (am I getting jowls??). Yikes! Did you know that every 7 years our bodies regenerate all new tissues so that we are completely different persons? How bizarre!

But I shouldn't dwell on the negative changes. I do notice that my thought process has definitely matured, and I have become MUCH more patient than I ever used to be. I still feel like I'm trying to figure myself out, but I am trying to be more open when I'm faced with the ups and downs of life. What I learned in Europe was that I really want to experience each moment for what it is and not be so obsessed about what is going to happen next. That is a tricky one for me since I am probably the biggest worry wart out there. But, there it is and that's all I have to say on turning 31. Except that some new art supplies will be the most excellent b-day gift ever and I plan to hit the store this weekend. Yay!

Illustration Friday {Smoke}

2006-11-09T21:25:00.000-08:00

I think one of the cornerstones of the Parisian diet is a fresh cafe au lait and a long cigarette. The French people are so glamorous and the air is so...hazy.

Embroidery for Swap

2006-11-08T20:05:00.000-08:00

I'm so frustrated with my camera...I can never get decent pictures when they have a lot of white. Alas, here is an embroidery that I sent off last weekend for this swap . I've never participated in any sort of online anything before, so this is all new territory. I started to click on the links of other people who have sent something away and I was so totally impressed by every blog...gulp. I hope they like my little patch. The photo also looks crooked, but actually it is completely square - I just don't have the time to doctor it up in photoshop.

We're having a bit of a rough week here in Sallyland, but I still want to finish an illo for Friday...it's coming along, just not as well as I had hoped. Anyways, I'll try to post it tomorrow night.

One quick note: I just wanted to thank you all for your lovely comments on my travel posts. I had forgot to mention that I survived the flights pretty well - much better than expected. We all had our own personal tvs which was a huge help, especially on the way home when dealing with overwhelming impatience to get to my own bed. But thank-you for your concerned emails and comments! You guys are the best :)

Europe - Part II

2006-11-03T20:08:00.000-08:00

Warning! This is a very loooong post - I'll wake you up when it's over :)

Holland - where we found a sense of home...

What else can I say about Holland except that I think it could easily be my second home. I love this country. I know, we were only there for a brief period of time, but of all the places we travelled though, I found this country resonated the strongest for me. Bicycles, canals and rows upon rows of tall, teetering houses - seriously, I felt like I was in some sort of fairytale when we arrived in Amsterdam. I think the dutch people are fantastic, they keep gorgeous homes and obviously value family and community. Harry recieved an email from one of his writing mentors saying that the difference between Canadian cities and many European cities is that they are planned around people, rather than cars. This is so true about Amsterdam, but we felt this even more when we visited Harry's relatives, Ben and Nel, in Utrecht. They took us on a tour of the countryside, and made a stop in the tiny village of Cohten. This was a very special stop since it is the town where Harry's mother was born and where the Van Leur family originated. We toured a windmill and the church that his family attended.

Our sightseeing highlights in Amsterdam:

NightTrain to Amsterdam - talk about close quarters! VanGogh gallery and RihksMuseum (original Rembrandts, Vermeer and Hals as well as the history of Holland)
A visit to the Anne Frank house
A walk through the Red Light district - oh, how naughty!
Daytrip to Utrecht and Cohten
Bicycling through Utrecht - I really MUST get a bike. This was defenitely a highlight of the entire trip.

While in Holland, I learned that Gouda is defenitely a superior cheese and that a panekoek is best with apples and sugar - mmmm... I also found out that the government has made home mortgage tax deductable - how cool is that!
I had a wonderful time getting to know Harry's relatives, learning more about life in Holland. I have come back inspired to simplify my life and really focus on to the things that mean the most to us. Ben and Nel are both incredibly creative people - they keep a simple, beautiful home; filled with the warmth of home cooking, music and art projects. When I had a conversation with Nel about my life and work at home, she just said to me; "I hope you find something to do creatively in your daily work." She was so genuine and adament about this simple statement that I found ringing over in my head throughout our travels.

And onward to Brussels

We were NOT ready to leave Holland. The train ride to Brussels was quiet and reflective as Harry and I mentally prepared for a new unknown city. Our first impressions of the city were quite mixed. We both found this to be a strange contrast of rich history against fast emerging business and commerce. We both agreed that it felt like the city didn't feel comfortable with it's past; perhaps they were just impatient to get on with the here and now.

At any rate, here are the highlights:
-Walking through the Grand Place and area for shopping and eating
-Musee des Beaux-Arts
-Musee de la bande dessinee - comics! with lots of TinTin
-Antique browsing in Sablon and a visit to famous Belgian chocolatier
-Palais do Justice - impressive architecture!

We had a bit of a rough go with Brussels, but I have to say you cannot get a better gaufre chaude with whipping cream, strawberries and chocolate - delicious! Also, where else would you be able to find a cherry beer except in Belgium. I did appreciate all the treats that were offered here. Also, the architecture really was something to marvel at - particularly the palais de Justice. For a couple Canadian kids who consider an antique some item from the 50's this city was quite the eye opener. Wow!

Paris! Leaving Europe with a bang...or, was that more like a fizzle?

Oi, we were exhausted by the time we got to Paris. We were getting seriously worn out from the days and days of walking and we really needed to do some laundry and slow down to conserve energy. First day in this magnificent city we spent in our rented apartment doing laundry, watching bad french cable and eating a home cooked meal. Ah, the simple pleasures in life. The rest of our time was fairly typical of any tourist. We hit all the main attractions, enjoyed the shopping and holy cow, let's not forget about the unforgettable cafe au lait! Perfection!

The weather had turned a bit grey and cold shortly after we got there and this concrete city began to look quite melancholy. I had so many expectations of what Paris would be like, but somehow it fell short. Don't get me wrong - I was totally blown away by the art, architecture and style of everything around us. But, perhaps it was the overcrowded streets, the unending tourists, the overpriced everything - I don't know, but we had certainly had enough by the time the week was over. Also, it was unfortunate that Harry picked up some sort of virus while we were there which started out as flu symptoms and escalated to something much worse when we got home. So, I suppose our Paris experience is not the best in the world, but it certainly was memorable.

Overall this trip was worth every second and every cent! We discovered a lot about ourselves as travellers and how we relate to each other as a couple. I know I couldn't do this trip without Hubby - it was so unbelievable to share all those moments with him. I feel happy to be home, but even happier that we have so many memories between us. (Now I better stop before it gets too sappy!)

[Clap Clap!] OK, you can wake up now! The slide show is over :) Hope I didn't totally bore the pants off you, but if I did it's a good thing you can just stop reading! Ha! Now it's back to normal routines. I'm anxious to get going on Illustration Friday again as well as some Xmas projects. Stay tuned - I'll keep you posted!

Back to Familiarity

2006-11-02T19:36:00.000-08:00

Sigh..big sigh...Yes, we are back at home. We were happy to be off the plane on Sunday night and into our own warm cozy bed. This was totally an adventure of a lifetime for us since neither Hubby nor I are world travellers and I honestly don't think either of us is cut out to do the long backpacking treks. We are still nursing individual levels of exhaustion and unfortunately Harry caught a horrendous virus in the last few days in Paris, so needless to say he was done with travelling and just wanted to go home. Done like dinner.
I like to think I could handle longer travels - perhaps an extended trip through Italy, then Greece and Turkey. Or maybe something more exotic like an African Safari or some sort of expedition through the Australian Outback. But really...who am I kidding? I can handle about 3 weeks and then I'm dreaming of being back home, cooking in my kitchen, watching tv, lazing on the couch with all my knitting projects.

But here we are...and today was my first day back at work. I had been dreading this since Monday - thinking it is going to be so awful to get back into the routine of being in an office. Blah, boring and completely uninspiring. This was all I thought after experiencing so much beauty in each new place we visited. I was in for a surprise though. I am happy to report I have been assigned to a new project which promises a lot more creativity than what I've been working on in the past. This industry changes all the time so I don't know if this will be permanent. But for now, I am hopeful and content.

As we settle in, I'm noticing that a lot of things about this trip are finally starting to sink in. Many travel days passed like a whirlwind and at dinner I'd think...what did we do yesterday? Then I'd draw a complete blank. Luckily I kept a travel journal. Somewhat cryptic; with doodles and thoughts randomly jotted all over the page. But it makes sense to me, so it's all good. I'd like to share some of my thoughts about each place we travelled to, along with some of my journal pages and perhaps more photos. But don't worry, it won't turn into one of those painful travel slide shows that you are convinced will never end. I'll be sure to break it up into a couple posts to keep you from nodding off ;) So, here goes...

Our first stop was Augsburg, Germany to visit our good friends Colin and Marlene. They moved here 5 years ago to start Colin's international career as a professional tenor singer.

Our sightseeing highlights:

Schloss Neuwanstein (the castle that Disney based his signature castle)

various cathedrals in Munich and Bavaria

an afternoon shopping and wandering around the MarienPlatz

a visit to the concentration Camp memorial in Dachau

Bavaria is so beautiful - it so reminds me of home with the green landscape and mountains in the distance. The weather was amazing the entire time we were there - we were even wearing shorts to accommodate the heat. This photo was taken from the castle window when we did the tour. I'm sure it could be found in some story book - it did feel quite magical to be there. Although it wasn't anything like Disneyland...

We had many wonderful times visiting with our friends. We caught up on lots and heard all the plans for the baby they are expecting. I learned that Germany has got a kick ass health care system and that it's worth paying to use a public WC. We also enjoyed excellent cooking by Miss Marlene. They are impeccable hosts and it is times like these that I am so very thankful for generous friends. We are incredibly lucky!

I'd have to say that the visit to Dachau was the experience that stuck with me most. This place is haunted by the atrocities that took place during the war. I was overwhelmed by the barren spaces, an open gravel field where the prisoner barracks once stood. There were so many of them. So many people who suffered. Honestly I don't know how respond - I am still speechless after having time to absorb it. In my journal I just called this a big open space of sadness.

Well, that was our short visit to Germany in a blur and a nutshell. We were only there for 3 days and then it was off to Amsterdam, Brussels and finally Paris! But I'll keep that for the post tomorrow!

The end is near

2006-10-27T01:42:00.000-07:00

Greetings from the land of café au lait and high fashion. I am writing this from our quaint little Paris apartment - we have just finished breakfast and are about to head out for a day of shopping. Yes, this could be very dangereuse.
This has been a journey of a lifetime and as the day of departure draws near, our level of exhaustion has been nearly unbearable. With all the sights and experiences to absorb we are worried that we may not be appreciating everything the way we should. But I still can't believe that I've climbed the stairs of the Eiffel tower, visited a concentration camp, bicycled through the streets of Holland, and been in the same room as an original picasso. I am so grateful for every moment and we still have 2 more days in Paris so I better make this short so we can get going and paint the town red. Did I happen to mention that the coffee is amazing here? I may consider moving to Paris just for the café au lait.
Anyways, more on this adventure next week when we are back home. That is if I can get out of bed - I think we may sleep for a month when we get there.

Check out some of our photos here

And we're off!

2006-10-08T21:23:00.000-07:00

Ok peeps! Here we go into the wild blue yonder. It's kind of hectic around our house right now, but I thought I'd just leave a little farewell post before heading out. A million things going through my mind...passports - check, camera - check, socks&undies - check, chapstick - check, excellent music on my mp3 player - check, valium - check! ok. I'm good to go! We tend to be quite the procrastinators, so of course here I am the morning of our departure, stitching the flag onto our packs...must - sew - faster!

I'm looking forward to every minute of this vacation and I'm sure it will fly by so fast! Farewell to all - see you in November!!

Half in the Sun

2006-10-08T13:48:00.000-07:00

And, introducing...Harry's first publication! His story "The End of Swinburne" is part of this anthology and can be found on page 83! I'm beaming with pride for Mr. Hubby.

I'm terrible at giving reviews about books and considering we just got the books last thursday, I have barely started reading it. So, here are some intelligent reviews that have been included on the back cover.

Here is the publishers write up: http://www.ronsdalepress.com/catalogue/halfsun.html I'm not sure about the details of where this will be selling so if by chance this book appeals to you and you'd like to purchase a copy, please email me - I'm sure we can hook you up. When we get back from Europe, Harry will be doing a reading or two and I must admit he has quite a talent here. He has such conviction when he tells stories. He can get an entire audience on the edge of their seats - it is quite the treat!
Harry and I both grew up in Mennonite families and I'm sure many of you are wondering what the heck that means. I don't have a lot of time to go into it right now, but you can read more about here if you are interested. Ok, slight clarification here...I have pure Mennonite bloodlines where Harry actually has Doukabour blood in him, (I sort of just lumped it in with the Mennonite background which was wrong of me, I have now been set straight) - see Harry's comment for more info...

Ok, off we go to turkey dinner - did I mention it is Thanksgiving weekend for us Canadians? Well, gobble gobble.

Decaying Piano

2006-10-07T07:41:00.000-07:00

2 more sleeps and we will be flying over the Atlantic Ocean - eeeeee. Here we go! I had my final day at work yesterday and let me tell you, it dragged on for-ever!

I don't really know what to blog about today because my mind is filled with a checklist of all we have to get done and I'm a big ball of nerves right now! Except, I did come across these photos I made when I was in art school many moons ago and thought I would share them. I was never much of a photographer - there were other students who just had the knack for finding amazing images and the magic voodoo with chemicals to make their prints even more beautiful. Every time I tried to develop my film, it would go grainy or I'd screw up getting it in the canister and lose half the roll of film. Photography was not my thing.

I lived on the East side of Vancouver for my first year at ECIAD - my neighbourhood was always filled with treasures. This dilapidated piano was in someone's front yard but unless you were walking by the house and happened to look beyond the overgrown garden, you'd never notice it. I wondered how it got there and how old it was - there are so many different stories in my head about the people who live here and their history. I really don't want to know the truth about them because I'm sure I'd be disappointed.

Oh, before I go - some other very exciting news - my very talented hubby has got his first story published!! I am so proud of him. Before we leave for our vacation I will blog about it and gush until he turns red in the cheeks.

Illustration Friday {Quiet}

2006-10-05T19:10:00.000-07:00

Well, it is pretty rough and I'm so late posting this, but I really wanted to try something different and I'm totally into redwork embroidery right now. So, here it is...This is the quick sketch I started with.
And, here is the embroidery - WIP as you can see.

It is no secret that I love the fibre arts - knitting and embroidery being my main obsessions as of late. We have this hand me down rocking chair that sits in the corner of our living room which my parents actually used to rocked me to sleep when I was a wee one. I don't ever sit in it because it is fairly uncomfortable, although I will probably always keep it in my house for the family sentiments. Somehow, all my knitting ends up living there when I'm not working on it. During my days at the office, I will sometimes think of my project just resting on the chair, all quiet and peaceful. And oh, how I wish I could be home working on it.

No more apologies...I promise!

2006-09-30T20:57:00.000-07:00

It has been a difficult week...and Hubby #1, the regular wonderful man that he always is, bought me a bunch of bee-utiful flowers to brighten my mood. Could the timing be more appropriate? I think not.

There have been a few things on my mind that attribute to my blues, but I don't really want to go into it here because it's personal and I don't think many would be interested in hearing me ramble on about it anyways.
But I will say that work has a huge part of it. Kay and I talk often about our day jobs or I should say "careers", even though in many ways it has become a job. We are both unhappy and looking for a new path. We just need to encourage each other enough to take the next big step! I know we can do it.

I'm so inspired by everything I read on the blogs out there - creative folks living the lives they were meant to lead. Also, listening to Jennifer's podcast this week was just so wonderful - exactly what I needed to hear. And so much encouragement in her final words as she read a snippet of Dr. Suess' "Oh the places you'll go". Yes, change is difficult and always necessary. What a cliche...I'm sure Hubby Hubberson will love to tear into that one!

I've also got a lot of nervous energy welling up in me. I'm acting a little erratic lately; somewhat obsessive about blogging and commenting, and blogging some more. I think I'm just wound up about our vacation coming up in 8 days! Gosh, I'm so unbelievably nervous and excited all at the same time. Hubby and I were discussing my blog over a pint and some pizza last night - and we had this conversation...

Hubby: you have to stop apologizing on your blog
Sally: But I don't want to offend anyone! Otherwise they won't come back...
Hubby: Stop apologizing - you are cluttering up your space
Sally: Sigh...but -
Hubby: Stop apologizing. It is your space and your voice. No need to apologize.
Sally: ...

He so has a point here. Where would I be without Mr. Hubby? He makes me a stronger person and helps me maintain my true self. All that and he can make me bust a gut laughing for hours with a wickedly dry sense of humour. Some days I wonder... how did I ever get so lucky!

So, there you have it folks. No more apologies and for this next week I'm going to focus on knitting more of these swatches to take my mind off my blogging OCD. I'm going to start knitting a tea cozy for my mom when I get back from Europe and I need to brush up on colour knitting skills.

Illustration Friday {Phobia}

2006-09-27T19:46:00.000-07:00

Social Phobia (as stated here): the fear and anxiety of being judged and evaluated negatively by other people, leading to feelings of inadequacy, embarrassment, humiliation, and depression.

I'm not saying I feel this extreme in every social setting, but in the worst situations it is pretty close. Does anyone else look for the closest exit when they are at a big party?

This is the first time I've used Photoshop to "doctor" my illustration. I sort of feel like I've cheated...not my best work, but here it is!

Dad wins the Prize for Best Kitchen Storage

2006-09-24T08:41:00.000-07:00

There is so much going on here, but I just couldn't contain myself. I am sitting here early on a Sunday morning so I can get this post up before everyone comes over for brunch. All because I must share this object of beauty with everyone. I am the luckiest girl in the world right now and I am overwhelmed!
Here she stands in all her glory!

The idea of this project surfaced over a year ago as my Dad was settling into retirement and taking up a long awaiting hobbie in woodworking. Of course, I had to get my nose in there and see if he would build us something. And since he was more than willing, I drafted up some ideas from designs I found in magazines and websites. The main idea of this design was hidden storage and clean lines. I love organized spaces, and even though my own home is usually cluttered with miscellaneous piles of stuff all over, I still have the goal to one day have a perfect place for everything. I know this may be a bit unrealistic since my personality has the tendancy to chaos, but that doesn't mean I won't try!

Look at this interior, I have a liquor cabinet! How very grown up :)

I must say that I am completely blown away by how close the final product is to my original concept. Here are my original designs that I did from home on some lame educational version of Maya (please try to ignore the awful watermarks!).

Dad has really outdone himself with this project. You should see the drawers! No more Ikea crap drawers that fall apart after 2 months - oh no, these are high quality, smooth as silk, hardwood drawers. Yes, I am gushing, I know...but I can't help it, I'm totally overwhelmed.

Thank-you Dad!! Thank-you a million times!

Catching up with Cupcakes

2006-09-21T19:50:00.000-07:00

Well, another week has almost gone by and things just don't seem to get any less busy around here. The parental units have been visiting since last week, so most of our time has been spent visiting and catching up. Every night my mom has been making the most amazing dinners - I'm so glad she has happily taken over in the kitchen. I've forgotten what it is like to come home to dinner already made. What a treat! And they have been keeping busy busy around our place - painting rooms, fixing shelves, installing pot racks, and the list just keeps on growing! I can't believe how lucky I am! Oh, and how could I forget the highlight of this visit: my most talented father has built us a *beautiful* kitchen armoir that I am still in awe of every day I come down the stairs. This is defenitely an heirloom! It is truly spectacular and I will post more about it next week, complete with pictures and more on our collaboration.

In the meantime, here is a little of the craftiness going on around here. Not much time to draw (hence the lack of participation in illustration friday), but since we visit every evening, it has been great opportunity to work on more crafty goods. Yes, here is one of the cupcakes I've been working on. Aren't they sweet? Zero calories, zero fat, zero perservatives and they'll never go bad :)

Now off I go to watch Survivor with the family!

Aviatophobia: the fear of flying

2006-09-19T20:25:00.000-07:00

22 days until our big vacation and I'm becoming overwhelmed by my fear of flying. It's not like I haven't flown before - we usually get on a plane at least twice a year to go out east and visit the family. But that doesn't stop me from losing sleep over my paranoia of a plane crash or a laptop explosion (have you heard about those sony batteries?) or even worse a terrorist threat. The flight from Vancouver to Heathrow is 9 hours, then we have to make a connection to Munich. Ug...my stomach is in knots already just thinking about how long I will have to endure sitting in a tin can thousands of feet above land. So, to help me prepare, I thought I would try some art therapy.
Here are my major fears: crashing into the ocean or exploding in the sky. Both are equally horrifying to me - although falling from the plane without a parachute sometimes takes the cake. I am a nervous mess when we land and I'm even worse when we take off. There is something just completely unnatural about humans wanting to fly in the air. So why do I put myself through this??

And the new restrictions do nothing but feed my anxiety. To top it off, I am clausterphobic and during our trip to the Dominican last year I had a bit of a breakdown halfway through the flight. I felt like the walls were closing in and everyone was breathing in my face. That was horrible - imagine everyone in the cabin asleep while I was locked in the teeny tiny bathroom trying to catch my breath. What a nightmare!! But now there is no extra comforts to soothe me... no water, no chapstick, no knitting?? Well, ok, the knitting has been banned for a long time - but it would do wonders for my nervous energy. The only solution here is to knock myself out completely - unconscious. Seriously. I don't know how else I'm going to last!
I wish with all my might that Europe was only a lazy afternoon river boat ride away. Please note the calm water, the blue sky, and the narrow river where green grass is just a hop and skip away from the boat. This is the proper way for humans to travel...if only travel were this easy.
Well, it would be way cool if someone would hurry up and invent the star trek transporter. That would solve all my problems with travel. Sigh...
Until then, I will just breathe and pray...breathe and pray. I can do this, people fly every day! Just breathe. Think about Oktoberfest, castles, French pastries and Van Gogh...it is so totally worth it!

A Sweater for Kale

2006-09-16T18:00:00.000-07:00

This is such a rare occurance in my knitting experiences that I had to post these pictures with just a tiny bit of pride - a sweater made by yours truly that actually looks wearable! I am so pleasantly surprised with the way this one turned out - a little cable cardi for my nephew in Alberta. He turned 2 years old over Labour Day weekend (yes, we are late sending this to him...fortunately this has become the norm for us and the family now expects us to send stuff fashionably belated.) But I'm just about to send it off to him and I hope that it keeps him cozy all winter - it sure does get cold in Alberta! And look at this perfect hoodie - complete with cute little tassel which I'm sure will be ripped off within a week of wearing it.

In other Sally updates, our European Adventure is only 23 days away now! I've been dreaming of Oktoberfest beer and Parisian pastries - we can hardly contain ourselves! Today we headed out to Vancouver to seek out durable backpacks and happened to pass by a huge rummage sale at the United Church down the street. Of course I had to make hubby hubberson stop so I could nose around. And what did I find among tables of old typewriters, glassware and knick knacks? 2 full bages of yarn for a loonie each! What a steal. I know they are all little leftovers from some grandmas stash - not really enough to make a sweater or pair of socks, but I love the variety of colours and weight. I can make many many cupcakes with all the colours (more on cupcakes later...they are in progress right now!). I must say, I cannot pass up yarn of any kind. It is a hopeless addiction!

Issues with Blogger Comments?

2006-09-15T07:06:00.000-07:00

Since I've upgraded to the new beta Blogger template, I've noticed errors with giving and receiving comments. These are known issues with blogger; unfortunately, I didn't do much homework on the subject before upgrading. My normal reaction of getting really excited about something and jumping right in before researching was inevitable with switching to beta blogger. Now, I must deal with it. So, here are some work arounds that they have posted on the "Outstanding Issues" beta blogger page:

For those with current blogger accounts:

Users are seeing errors when posting comments with current Blogger accounts to blogs on the new version of Blogger in beta. Until we fix this, the workaround is to preview the comment before publishing. (You only need to preview once per account.)

For those who have switched to the beta blogger account:

Users who have switched to Blogger in beta will not be able to login to comment on blogs that have not switched. Commenting using the “anonymous” or “other” options will still work.

If I hear of any updates I'll post them, but it sounds like this will be a work around for the next while.

Until then, I'll leave you with this colour exploration that I did in my first year of art school many moons ago. The season is just beginning to change over here and I am looking forward to seeing the leaves change colour. (Oil and pressed leaves on Rag paper).
Happy Friday everyone!

Illustration Friday {Farm}

2006-09-13T20:54:00.000-07:00

At the time it seemed like a genius idea for the farm animals to run away and join the circus - the fame, the fortune, the glamour! Somehow, it just didn't turn out the way they planned and they aren't so sure anymore. Although, it looks like the barn mice have finally found their true calling :)

My Newest Friends

2006-09-10T14:35:00.000-07:00

Got my camera back and I'm absolutely trigger happy! I'd like to introduce you to my new friends, Wee Bunny and Pointy Kitty! I found the patterns at Wee Wonderfuls and finally had time to make them. They are both meant to be gifts, but the pointy kitty is a bit wobbly and not so well made since it was my first go at it, so I think he will stay with me. I can't quite figure out how to attach the head properly. Any advice?

Here's the cushion cover I finished ages ago...and the little rascals just couldn't stay out of the picture!

I'm a Happy Blogger

2006-09-09T18:18:00.000-07:00

I just discovered the latest beta blogger and *yay*, I can now change up my template simply by clicking some nice GUI windows and adding stuff. Finally, the solution to those of us who lack the computer language brain cells. I am totally pathetic when it comes to any HTML. I think my brain just goes to mush when I look at the text and I'm sure that my eyes completely glaze over. I've gone to my happy place and hopefully I don't start to drool.

Anyways, the other day I came across this helpful article about starting a craft blog and found it mighty useful. One of the author's suggestions was to have a profile and post an "about" page. So, with the happy new blog options, I've finally added one! There is a link in the right margin, but you can also click here to learn more about me :)

Illustration Friday {Safe}

2006-09-06T21:23:00.000-07:00

Babies always look safest when they are in their mother's arms.

Crafty Week

2006-08-29T21:05:00.000-07:00

Phew! It has been a busy August. I can hardly believe that all the kiddies will be back at school next week - this summer seems to have barely begun and already I'm having to think about the fall. Funny how time just creeps up on me now - I remember being a kid and the summer months seemed to last an eternity. Days upon days of endless adventures; riding bicycles through the subdivision and camping in the backyard. Ah yes...where have those days gone? The time passing quicker and quicker is a sure sign that I'm getting older - my Dad has warned me that this only increases as we get older.

These days I'm lucky to get a couple hours of drawing or crafting in after I come home from work...make dinner, clean up, chores, piles and piles of boring crap. Some days I feel like time is just falling in on me. I feel incredibly protective of the tiny space of each day where I can do exactly what I want to do. Time is so precious to me and lately it has been forcing me to re-evaluate our current situation as members of the rat race.

And on that note, I must mention that I will have no illustration to share for IF this week. Alas, I have run out of time to do everything. This week is all about crafting because I really need to focus on getting some of these gifts done for all the babies that keep popping up everywhere. And I do love to make bitty baby things - it brings me so much joy to give people a little bit of handmade goodness and I hope I can always shield enough time in my life to do that.

Last week I made these bitty booties from a pattern on Heather Bailey's blog and I have 2 more pairs on the go. They are a hoot to make and I think I have become an addict.

Other works in progress include a cushion cover, a softie, and a little sweater I am knitting up for my nephew. He turns 2 in September. Again, I am overcome with how quickly time flies.

Ok, off to bed now. There is a nice heavy rainfall to put me to sleep (I think I hear thunder!), I'm looking forward to these cooler nights - but not the shorter days. I hear mr. hubby complaining again... G'night all :)

Illustration Friday {Match}

2006-08-24T07:35:00.000-07:00

It seemed as though everyone had a perfect match...except for her.

Illustration Friday {Play}

2006-08-15T06:56:00.000-07:00

Recess "play" involved 3 vital parts when I was a kid - skipping (usually double dutch - I'm no athlete, but I was addicted to this), flying super heros and ,of course, a huge amount of make-believe.

The Mighty Movie Countdown!

2006-08-12T20:37:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been 3 weeks since we took our pathetic camera back to get "fixed" by Samsung and still we wait...I am sooo dying to take some photos. While I'm waiting, I thought I could take this time to share my top 5 fave movies of all time...or for the time being (I find that this list is constantly evolving). Hubby and I love going to movies (ok, he is a lot more hard core about it than me..ahem!) But once in awhile I see a film that just totally gets me and there is no way of getting it out of my conciousness for at least 48 hours after. To me this is the sign of an excellent movie - also, it helps when the the story and the characters blend together to make something beautiful, magical and all around captivating. So, enough of my vague criteria for what makes a good film...drum role please...

The Mighty Movie Countdown
(I reserve the right to adjust this list at any time!)

Little Miss Sunshine we just saw this today - Wow Steve Carell can really act!
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou This was so tragic and real, yet it was set in this strange artificial world. I think Wes Anderson is a genious. Genious!
The Royal Tennenbaums..Anjelica Huston is my hero. I wish I had one ounce of her grace and sophistication. Love her.
Waking Life This one is a thinker. I just watched this recently and realized, I should really enroll in a philosophy class.
Amelie I have yet to see a feature film that portrays as much beauty and careful consideration for the frame. Gorgeous photography, intriguing characters, delightful story - and it all takes place in Paris. How could there be a better film??

Ok, so, there is my mighty list...what's yours?

Illustration Friday {Capture}

2006-08-09T14:57:00.000-07:00

I know it is cliche to "capture" a moment, but when I was trying to come up with an image to share with everyone, I kept coming back to this classic poem by William Carlos Williams. The chickens always seem to compete for attention in this poem, so I thought I should portray them equally.

so much depends
upon
a red wheel
barrow

glazed with rain
water

beside the white
chickens.

(I'm also still trying to figure out my new scanner, so apologies for the uneven lighting on this image)

Gee Ma, I wanna go back to Ontario...

2006-08-09T09:07:00.000-07:00

Well, I don't have a camera back from the manufacturers but I thought I'd share a couple photos from our trip to Ontario in July. We all had such a blast...almost makes me want to move back. Almost.

Our daytrip to the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit- This place was wicked cool! I've actually been inspired to do a series of drawings based on all the bicycle models they had on display. Harry was blown away by the size of the steam engines (so much so that he didn't notice me taking a picture of him with his finger up his nose - lol) My Dad took a million pictures of the red MG which is identical to the kit car he has in the garage.

The entire FamDamily celebrating Mom's B-day - Me, Mom, Ken,Mandy, Dad, Hubby Hubberson

The lovely wedding we attended. I actually babysat the bride when she was a wee one, so it was a bit strange to see her all grown up. Gosh do I feel old!

Europe..here we come!!

2006-08-02T20:53:00.000-07:00

Last week Hubby Hubberson and I made a giant leap and booked a trip to Europe for 3 weeks in the fall! This is a huge event for us since it has been one of those things that we blabbed about forever! And we finally set a goal last January of actually getting there this fall. We've been saving $$ and vacation days all summer long and I'm positive that it will be worth every little bit! Harry has never been much outside North America (besides our beautiful beach vacation to DR)and although I have been to Germany and Prague in my teens, I must admit that I spent more time partying it up with my crazy German friends than really taking in the cultural sites! So, it will truly be a new adventure for us both!

In October we will be flying into Munich and taking a train to Augsburg to visit our good friends Colin and Marlene. After a few days there, we will travel north to Berlin, onto Amsterdam and ending in the romantic Paris!

I think we will be backpacking and staying with friends or in hostels for most of the time, but our final week will spent in blissful Parisienne paridise! We've booked a beautiful apartment on the Ile Saint-Louis which I have read is the most romantic area of Paris. Mon Dieu, je suis au paradis! (ok, I know my french is tres terrible..must remember dictionary)

Isn't this just amazing??

And the view is to die for!

Inspire Me Thursday {Non-Visual Art Form}

2006-08-02T07:44:00.000-07:00

I have been eyeing the weekly challenge for sometime now and finally had some time to participate!

I've been listening to the song "Breathe Me" by Sia non-stop ever since I saw the Six Feet Under Finale. I just love the simplicity of the song and the feeling of vulnerability it evokes.

Breathe Me

Help, I have done it again
I have been here many times before
Hurt myself again today
And, the worst part is there's no-one else to blame

Be my friend
Hold me, wrap me up
Unfold me
I am small
I'm needy
Warm me up
And breathe me

Ouch I have lost myself again
Lost myself and I am nowhere to be found,
Yeah I think that I might break
I've lost myself again and I feel unsafe

Illustration Friday {Clean}

2006-08-02T07:21:00.000-07:00

This week's word has led me to focus on the obsessive compulsive possiblities of keeping clean. A problem which I'm sure I'll never have to deal with myself (you should see my disaster of a house now - Yikes!) - but interesting to explore nonetheless.

My better half did not find this next image "clean". Instead he told me he was nauseated and creeped out by the pepto-bismol pink...I thought I'd post it anyways :)

Well this just sucks!

2006-07-31T06:56:00.000-07:00

It's Monday morning and I feel like pouting. I can picture Mr. Hubby rolling his eyes as he reads this because it seems like complaining is one of my favourite pastimes lately. But seriously, I'm so cranky about our broken camera! I want to take pictures and post on my blog and I find that extremely difficult without a camera. I don't usually have a lot to say, but I love to show and tell!
For those of you thinking of buying a little point and shoot digital camera, DO NOT buy the Samsung DigiMax A400! I suppose we just got a lemon model, but it has caused us a lot of grief - enough for me to recommend passing up any of the Samsung products. It seems that the camera works fine when using it close to home, but for some strange reason it does not like to travel. A couple weeks after we bought the camera last fall we went to Punta Cana and the first day we arrived, the camera stopped focusing. Luckily we were there with friends who could give us doubles and take some extra photos for us. When we got home, we sent the camera back to the store and waited 3 long weeks only to get a phone call from their head office telling us that we must have mistreated the camera and that caused the focus to break. We were shocked and so incredibly angry. Harry phoned the company pronto and left a nasty message (Oh, I wish you could have heard it!) so that in a day someone phoned to apologize for making such assumptions and they would fix the camera. When we finally got the camera back it seemed to work great and I was relieved... until our next vacation. We had another instance of broken focus in Whistler and just last week when we went to Ontario where the camera refused to even turn on! Again the camera has been sent out and we must wait forever for the stupid thing to get fixed and sent back.

This is ridiculous and I am now convinced that I must take 2 cameras on every trip. My big clunky manual SLR (my loyal companion and has never let me down!) and the small unreliable but convenient digital camera. What a pain in the hibiscus! Why must the digital world be so unreliable? Why?

Now then. That is enough pouting. Onto another exciting Monday.

Doodles

2006-07-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

We're back from holiday in good old Ontario. We had a wonderful time, full of relaxation, family fun, and delicious food which I will post about later. Unfortunately our camera had the biscuit which I will not go into right now because I am still fuming about all the horrible luck we have been having with it. But, as a result, I cannot post any pictures for you of my ongoing life and millions of projects on the go. So, instead, you will have to live with a week of scanned doodles and such.

I meant to post IF this week - the word is opposites. But I really wanted to work with this new scratchboard and an image in my mind inspired from two sources. First, the lighting and environment from this
photograph I found at Gayla Trail's blog. She makes the most beautiful photographs of Southwestern Ontario which make me truly homesick. Also, we spent an evening in Toronto last week and while walking down Queen Street, I got a kick out of all the girls done up to go club-o.

I didn't think subject matter lended much to the IF theme - although the process was quite opposite to my usual workflow. When working with scratch board you start out with a black canvas and use a sharp knife to scratch out the light areas. It really forces one to pay attention to the positive and negative of an image. I also found this to be a fun exercise in composition and light.

Illustration Friday {SkyLine}

2006-07-12T07:29:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure where this image originated in my mind. I suppose it is my own version of Peter Pan...with children emerging from chimneys and floating fish whisking them off on some dream journey.

For some reason flying fish are starting to pop up everywhere in my work - I wonder what that could mean?

Happy Day!

2006-07-09T11:16:00.000-07:00

The best summer weekend...

I had the most spectacular day yesterday and I really must tell you it was as wonderful as a bowl of fresh raspberries - which was also part of my weekend :) First, my Saturday began with a trip to Vancouver to get some art supplies along with a tasty breakfast at Sophie's Cosmic Cafe. Delicious!

More fun stuff to add to my messy work table...

Then I headed to the spa for some serious pampering, all credit to Mr. Hubby for the perfect Anniversary gift. But he always knows exactly what to get me - I am so lucky! This trip included a magnificent facial and some twinkle toes to boot. Needless to say, I was glowing when I came home.

The evening was spent lounging in PJs, watching Coupling with my better half and embroidering some pretty peonies. For us homebodies, the evening couldn't get any better.

Today is all about the World Cup finals and the HBO series, Deadwood, later on this evening with some friends. I have the whole day to work on my Illustration and start getting ready for our trip to Ontario this Friday. I may get some chores done in between, but of course that is not the priority!

Why can't all weekends be this perfect?

You Grow Girl!

2006-07-05T20:19:00.000-07:00

I WON!

I won the book from the craftsanity eco-project competition with my sweater therapy story. And now I will be getting the most excellent gardening book! And not only is it informative, creative and crafty - it's also written by a Canadian which makes the prize even sweeter. I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival in my mailbox :)

Our patio garden is very pretty this year, but I have to admit we could do better. I'm not so hot at growing herbs so I'm looking forward to learning more about what types I should get for our patio and also how to save some extra cash when it comes to gardening.

We have geraniums (with enough sun I don't think it's possible to kill them...)

And some pretty daisies, lobelia, ageratum and bacopa. They all remind me of working in the greenhouse back in Ontario. Ah yes, southern ontario humidity and sweltering heat. And all that inside a greenhouse! Geez I miss that...not!

Oh, and in other exciting news, my good friend Wendy sent email today to announce that her sister's knitting pattern, Fetching, made it to the front page of the latest knitty magazine And of course, Wendy did all the photos and yes, they are spectacular. Cheryl created a beautiful pattern and I'm already thinking of what colour I'm going to knit them. Now there is a talented family!

Illustration Friday {Sticky}

2006-07-05T07:43:00.000-07:00

Well now, don't we all enjoy a little bit of sticky bun once in awhile?

Trial Run

2006-07-02T11:35:00.000-07:00

Last week I finally received my Amy Butler patterns! It took nearly 3 weeks to arrive and it looked like the package had been through a paper shredder with a nice little notice from the post office explaining that they were working on improving the handling quality of international packages. How thoughtful! Luckily the patterns weren't harmed too badly and I could still figure everything out.

I quickly began working on my trial run messenger bag - once again using the painters drop sheet as my material. I found making a bag easier than I had expected - just like the shoulder bag I completed last week. I do like this pattern, although I will make some adjustments when I make my final bag. For one thing, there is way too much velcro - everytime I try to open something or adjust it there is always an annoying velcro sound. Also, the bag is really thin - it will be great for library trips and large portfolios, but it really only holds a couple of them. I will probably shorten the length and fatten it up a bit. If I had a laptop, it would be the perfect size.

Also, I couldn't help but knit a flower pin. I found a pattern and quickly adjusted it to my liking. I also used my felted bead as the centre - so cute.It sort of finished off my attempt at the shoulder bag...

That's all for now, I'll be starting a trial run of my other pattern, the Chelsea Handbag, next week sometime. I hope it's as easy as the messenger bag!

Felted Beads!

2006-06-30T07:06:00.000-07:00

I made some felt beads a couple nights ago and I wanted to share my pics. It is a quick little project and I think I may be able to incorporate them with my lampworked beads (once I get better at making both! LOL).

Illustration Friday {Rain}

2006-06-26T07:07:00.000-07:00

Living in the Lower Mainland of BC, I've come to accept that it can rain a lot. Just to give you an idea: last January we had 26 days of unrelenting rain. We saw nothing but grey showers, streaky rain and then some light drizzle. If you want rain, we've got every variety. It got to the point where I wasn't sure if we were living on land or under the sea. Some days I'd be waiting for the bus in a torrential downpour and wonder if I'd start to see fish swim by. My friend, Wendy, used to draw these silly fish all the time, and it would make me chuckle to think of seeing one of those pass by. I thought it would be even funnier to see the reactions of serious business people if that actually happened!

Shrunken Sweater Therapy

2006-06-22T12:43:00.000-07:00

This project was not something I planned or even wanted to do…it began as a therapy project to help me deal with a sweater that was accidentally shrunk in the laundry. Currently I am still working on it and this unplanned project has become quite enjoyable. For anyone who has a shrunken sweater or just something old that you want to bring back to life, here are some ideas - I don't think any of them are all that original, but as part of my therapy, I must share them with you.

Like most projects, there is a story that goes along with it. I don't normally write such long blogs and it may seem silly for me to use up so much space for a sweater...but if you've ever had a comforting sweater like this, perhaps you can relate. So, if you are only interested in my entry for the eco-project contest then please scroll past the next 2 paragraphs...

This sad sweater story began the day I carelessly left my cozy angora hoodie on the floor next to a random pile of laundry. Since it is always my husbands chore to do the wash, he assumed it was part of the pile and simply added my wooly sweater to the mix of coloured laundry. A completely understandable assumption to make, and the biggest laundry mistake of my life. So, needless to say the sweater was history…He brought the sweater up from the dryer about 3 sizes smaller than it's original. I couldn't hide my shock and disappointment when I saw it. I am embarrassed to say I actually had to leave the room and shed a couple tears for my most favourite sweater. My husband felt terrible, even though it wasn't his fault - but I think my dramatic reaction was enough to make anyone feel bad. After this childish tantrum was out of my system I buried the fluff of grey in the back of my closet because I just couldn't bare to look at it. I couldn't even bring myself to let the sweater go to goodwill - even though I know it would be a wonderful fit for a child. I had far too much attachment to this wonderful piece of soft lovliness - how could I let that go?

A couple weeks ago the contest for eco-projects on Craftsanity was announced and I thought about my lost sweater. Now that the initial grieving process had run it's course, I decided to retrieve this sweater out of the depths of my closet and do something with it. Originally I wanted to just make a fluffy cushion out of it and put it on our bed so I could cozy up anytime I missed wearing the sweater. I thought I'd just spend a couple evenings putting it together and then post a picture for the contest. But as I held my breath and started cutting up the fibre, a whole new realm of possibilities began to unfold - and it is still in progress today! Please join me on my journey to revive my broken sweater. Here are some ideas that I've started on this week and if you like where it's headed, come back in the coming weeks to see how I progress!

The project ~

First of all, before I did any cutting, I sent my little sweater back to the washing machine to make sure it was completely felted and ready to sew. Yes, this was difficult, but I took a moment to remember my good friend before hitting the hot/cold wash cycle. When it came out, and dried, I started cutting the sleeves off first, then the hood.

At this point, I discovered that I could still wear the torso piece as a vest!

Then I found that if I wanted to, I could convert the sleeves into fingerless gloves - (simply cut a couple holes for the thumbs and cut at the desired length) I had thought about embroidering some fun designs on these new gloves or knitting up Mrs. Beeton by Brenda Dayne to tuck under those sleeves for a fun removable sleeve.

But, I was still thinking about the pillow I wanted to make, so I decided to cut up the sleeves after all. I also used my husbands old plaid shirt to make up where the sweater was short. I'm sure there are many crafty people out there who would make something much more pleasing out of the materials, but I have limited sewing skills, so here it is - still in progress. I'm going to add buttons on the side to keep it closed and I'm also going to embroider some sort of flower design on it.

Here is what I'm playing with right now...stay tuned for excellent updates!

And let's not forget about the hood. How about a cute little modern bonnet for a baby? I'm about to attach some simple felt flowers along the bottom to hide the hacked up seam (I've photoshoped them in for you to see what I'm talking about). It is so soft and it just needs a button to complete this little project. So easy!

I feel much better now that my sweater has a new life now. Thanks to Jennifer of Craftsanity for offering this contest - you helped me face the sadness of losing my favourite sweater and I'm so happy that I've been able to give it new life!

Illustration Friday {Dance}

2006-06-20T17:54:00.000-07:00

This is my first submission to Illustration Friday and I'm really excited to have found this community to share my weekend doodles.

The topic "dance" immediately brought me back to my childhood and my love for anything ballet. When I was really young I chose a ballerina wallpaper to decorate my bedroom. It was a repeated pattern of pastel rendered dancers in yellow and blue tutus - the type of design that came to life if you stared at it long enough and would eventually morph into some other abstract image. I always dreamed that these dancers were in another dimension where everything was soft and bubbly and all my toy animals would come to life there - just like in the nutcracker. I'm also going to share a secret with you…my favourite teddy polar bear, which I named Snowball, played the cello when no one was watching. He'd serenade the ballerinas and all the little toy critters came out of my closet to watch them. It is a comforting and happy image for me to draw and makes me realize how much I miss my loyal friend, Snowball.

Sweedish Berries - and other imitation flavours

2006-06-18T08:38:00.000-07:00

Before I get into crafty craftiness I want to take a moment and share with everyone my top 5 favourite candies :). Yes, I know I am at that age where the metabolism is rebelling and refuses to move faster than a turtle, but every once in awhile I have to break down and enjoy a little peice of heavenly imitation flavour and sugar. So, here we go:

5.) Skittles - a rainbow of empty calories and I love every flavour!
4.) Red Licorice - preferably "Nibs" but really, any brand will do...oh, except for that shoe string crap that tastes all plasticy. Bleh!
3.) Big Feet - whenever we go to Costco I have to fight the urge to buy an entire box of these delicous treats. I could probably devour the whole thing in a couple days - although that would be really gross and I'm sure I'd get really ill.
2.) JuJubes - of course the red and orange are the best. Usually the black ones end up at the end of the bag, along with a few lingering yellows. That's just cuz they're icky.
1.) Oh tasty tasty Sweedish Berries - How could I resist perfection!? I'm tempted to make a necklace out of them. What a great idea, huh?

Getting through this list I do realize that I have a weakness for red food colouring. There is something so irresistable about them - Wouldn't you agree? (I think I need to stop talking about candy now...)

...And onto other acheivements - ahem! I got really excited about a handbag tutorial I found on whip up and promptly ravaged my meagre stash of fabrics to find something I could use to make this. My stitching artist was so determined to get this project started I just couldn't stop her, no matter how unappealing the fabric choices were. The final selection was left over cream/white canvas (it was actually painters drop sheet material) for the outside and some left over Amy Butler Ginger fabric that I've been using on everything lately (total overkill!). So, off I went and made this cute little bag and you know what? It was really easy! I was so surprised - thinking I'd be in tears within an hour. But wow, I actually made something that works.

The only problem is that I really do not like the fabric I put together. But to make myself feel better, I keep saying I didn't spend any extra $$ for the project. And I should consider this a trial run so I can go out and get the fabric I really like and make it again even better!

Check it out! (You will notice that the bag does need a button to keep it closed...that is in progress. I'm not too sure where to find the perfect vintage button yet. But it must be BIG and it must be different. Perhaps a trip to value village will present the opportunity sometime soon...)

One last comment - have you heard of Illustration Friday? I just discovered it last week through one of my many delightful podcasts and I think this is the ticket to get me drawing again. So, stay tuned because by the end of the week I may actually post a drawing! Gasp! I know - what a shock. An artist who...draws!? I certainly can't promise you that it will be any kind of masterpiece, but it just might be mediocre. Watch out!

Bring on the Beads!

2006-06-12T19:44:00.000-07:00

So, what is on my mind of late? It is all about the beads, baby! I have so many new interests since January, but I have to say I have found beadmaking to be the most fascinating. It's like a cool science experiment watching the glass transform in the flame and I'm mesmorized by the lava-like movement. Many would say it is tedious and boring - but I suppose I'm all about waiting and patiently watching creation unfold. After all why would I get into animation if I didn't like repetition? Or knitting for that matter. Stitch after stitch and eventually it changes from a string of yarn into something useful. After 3 hours of practicing on Saturday, these are the best 2 beads of the day.

And what should I do with all these beads? Well, that is just another creative adventure for me to dive into. I'm becoming more and more drawn to textiles and I really don't have a lot, but I'm really enjoying the process of finding new ways to incorporate beads. For example, here is a little bus pass holder I designed for myself. It is pretty handy and very simple and my first attempt so don't look too hard at the stitching - I do have plans to improve that with embroidery.

Last but not least, yet another set of baby shoes. There are so many babies being born these days, I don't think there is any end to this knitting. All I have to say is - Don't drink the water people!

Restless...

2006-06-06T19:52:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been such a busy couple of months, but I am still trying to keep my nervous hands busy. I'm having this problem where if I don't get a minimum quota of personal creative time in a day, I become an outright bit--..nasty person! Seriously - I am completely obsessed and I'm falling apart at the seams. My poor husband - I don't know how he puts up with my stomping and gnashing of teeth while I make dinner and then clean up, and then try to make some sort of lunch for the next day. All this huffing and mumbling and the sourest look on my face that I'm sure will freeze up that way if I'm not careful. Where does this come from? And why now?

I've been listening to sooo many podcasts lately (which I'm sure has a lot to do with it). My absolute favourite right now is craftsanity which was created by a very clever woman in Grand Rapids Michigan. Every week she interviews a different artist/crafter and asks super interesting and challenging questions. It has got to be the most inspiring podcast I've found so far. After I've listened to these interviews, I become more aware of my hunger to be creative. I am also revealing to myself just how deeply I am obsessed with the fibre arts. I now have dreams of quiting my job, dropping out of society for awhile to travel around and then settling down in some small town Canada where I can have a studio and live the very simple creative life. Somehow, with enough courage and perseverance, we will get there! I am determined!

But these changes do happen in a very subtle way...LOL. Baby steps, right? I've been working with my good artsy friends to see if we can't all make some handmade "stuff" for the Christmas craft shows. I had never even thought of a craft show as a means to test out products - but what an excellent way to experiment. I'm not putting any pressure on myself - I just want to create some kind of handmade product line and try to sell it. What the heck! Let's just see how it goes. Here are a couple things I created over the weekend.

Little sweater ornaments...the idea is still in progress. But I like where it is heading.

Also, I made yet another fabric book. I'm still trying to figure out the perfect pattern. I'm not too happy with the trim, but I'll keep trying. I really like the way they are turning out though. I'm learning a lot about colour combinations and what I like and don't like in fabric coordinating. It's simple, but I really enjoy the process.

And I have been bit by the embroidery bug. I have discover crewel embroidery and when I was at the library last week I picked up 2 books on the basics. I don't have any sort of crewel supplies, but I'll keep with regular left over cross stitch embroidery just to play around.

I don't have much of a fabric stash. But I pulled together a few of my favourites to admire the beauty of colour and design. I have become a huge fan of Amy Butler and I'm dying to order one of her handbag patterns and some more fabric.

Oh, and before I go...I have to share with you what's on my needles right now. Yes, that's right folks, I have been bold enough to try making another pair of socks. Not to worry, I did make sure I have the correct amount of yarn and even better, they are self striping. How fun is that? Talk about magical. You just start knitting and voila! The design appears before your eyes - no batteries required!

Alrighty friends. Thats all for now. I really wish I had more time to actually fix the template of my blog. That will come..eventually. I have so many ideas; I just need time and patience to deal with html...sigh...technology. One more thing to make me angry.

Birthday Treats with the Art School Beauties

2006-05-29T18:44:00.000-07:00

Yes, it has been awhile since my last post...unfortunately (or fortunately for the gamer in our household - ahem!) our main computer has had the biscuit. We are waiting for the arrival of a brand spanking new PC with all the works, so that I can continue to blog and mr. hubby can spend the next month making up for all the last gaming time he lost over the last week. Until then, I am trying to edit photos and update this post on a little laptop with the worst monitor known to mankind. Apologies for any strange colours - I'm not responsible!

Anyways, onto more entertaining updates... I had such a wonderful time yesterday! Five years after our graduation from the animation department at ECIAD, I finally got my act together and actually met up with my old pals. Not only were we celebrating the beautiful wendy's birthday, but we were also playing a lot of catch up! And sweet moses, were these girls busy! Let's see...Amanda just moved back from Halifax after working in the stop motion animation industry and discovering she has some entrepreneur blood in her, Helen has been to New York and got herself a long distance relationship and a whole new perspective on city life, Sascha is back from a temporary residence in London where she worked in British animation and had herself a sweet baby girl, and Wendy, being her true cultured self has been all over the place doing very well for herself as the talented and highly sought after photographer..hmm...have I forgotten anyone? Oh, yes - and myself...perhaps living a not so adventurous life but truly loving to hear every detail of everyone else's travels. Visiting with them has really got me excited about the trip to Europe we are planning for the fall. I can't wait to have some new adventures of my own!

And since it was Wendy's Birthday, of course I went knitting crazy and whipped up a Branching Out Scarf that I had been planning to knit for sometime now. What a perfect excuse to get some more lace knitting under my belt. For a long time I have been hating knitting with those complicated patterns, but this was an excellent project to start on. It was easier, although, don't get me wrong, I still could not carry on conversation or watch any tv as that would defenitely distract me.

Check it out!

And here is the birthday girl herself - sporting the scarf in all her glory :)

And here we are - all together for a photo. I have to chuckle when I see this because it was so funny watching Helen and Sascha run back and forth to set up their self timing cameras. Sigh, it was a defenite "had to be there moment"...

From left, counter clockwise: Helen, Amanda, Me!, Wendy and Sasha.

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