SUNDAY slippers...

these are definitely one of my most special gifts received from my sister Boo...she gives the best gifts...I received them for my Birthday a few years ago...I wear them when I need an energy boost.They're beautiful, British made, massaging, made with removable magnetic insoles to aid circulation and give you a soothing foot massage. (I have never removed them)...I take them to people's houses...so I have slippers to wear instead of bare feet- here in Canada it's polite to take shoes off at the door when you come in...I think because we have 4 months of Winter...obviously we don't wish to have wet, dirty floors...

the sketch was made first...

and then watercolours added...
did you know Cotman is no longer producing those little watercolour blocks...if ANYONE knows where I can buy some...PLEASE advise me. THANKS..

I have a website link for you for these FABULOUS slippers...they are a little pricey, BUT they have a SALE at the moment.
GO HERE to their online store...SUCH a wonderful gift for any Lady.

So...as I said I would tell you some more about FEBRUARY's projects...some of you will remember what I am talking about...and if you can't remember...check back TOMORROW,I know I'm a tease...but it'll be fun and challenging.
I'm still continuing wilh the ART for Haiti shoes...can I take it all on? Not sure, but I'll try.
ALL in the name of ART!

What are you planning for Feb??

Last February was FEB RED here at our Blog...it was fun...ALSO...I'd like to take you all back to this day last year...HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY BETH!!!!
UNTIL tomorrow...HaTSA MAnanA...A DOmain...FIn A DOMAni...til Imorgen...

Char,ON
P.S.Heading over to ESTY to list these slippers...

1 HOUR drawing...

OH...yes...these are well worn...they're my favourite Ballet Flats and were a wonderful gift from my sister in-law 3 years ago at Xmas.
They'll be in my SHOP tonight...after Dinner.
They're Flats by Freed of London who make classic ballet and dance shoes but also full leather sole ballet flats...even if you're not a dancer.
I have 30 minutes before our guests arrive...I'm making a semi vegetarian dinner as one of our guest is a vegetarian...so...I'm making my roast veggie lasagne and a salad with avacado,brie and tomaties with a raspberry dressing...hope they like it...
The non-veggies are having parma ham with their salad and shrimp with the lasagne...everyone is SO full by the time it comes to desert...so we're having  sorbet...mango sorbet.
I'll be back tomorrow...to visit you all and to show you what February will be like....VERY excited...hoping I have the energy to do everything I plan to...check back tomorrow for an update.
I better go...
Have a good evening.
THANK you by the way for visiting me and for leaving such encouraging and sweet comments...you're the BEST!

Hasta manana!!!
Char,ON

30 MIN SKETCH

again...I have reached the end of the day, with only 21 minutes to go...and just finishing my shoes for Thursday's Art for Haiti...

THESE have to be one of the MOST comfortable pair of shoes...ALL leather "Hobbs" shoes...probably 24 years old...don't you just LOVE the fact that our feet stay the same size??!!

they look awesome with a smart pait of trousers and a great pair of jeans...I need to re-sole them this Spring.

Look at the leather...I miss them ALL Winter long!

Do you have shoes you miss when you have to migrate ionto another Season?

Talking about Winter...I think we're finally getting it...-24 this evening and flurries...I didn't think it could snow when it was SO cold?

Went out to shovel this evening and cursed A LOT...it's o.k. nobody could hear me...I mean WHO in their right mind goes out when it's THAT cold!

I'm paying over due Library fees tomorrow as I was stuck in the house again today with the girls...we had fun...played Pirates, found treasure...taught them about 3Dimentional Shapes...made a few out of card...watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for the millionth time...I think it's the chocolate they love so much....and...and...and...

SO tired again...I have missed 3 days at the gym this week...I could have gone in the evenings but have been catching up on work I usually get done during the day.

Looking forward to tomorrow...I have a good feeling.

SMILES...and SLEEPS...

Bon nuit.

Char,ON.

ThankFULL Thursdays...

good morning...or afternoon...or evening to you! Don't you just love how we're all living in our own moment...no matter if you're in Austrailia, Malaysia,Japan,US,Europe...or here in Canada...out west they're still ALL fast asleep...in the UK it's mid-day!
I'm THANKfull for:
 My family...my husband who in my main rock...and joker too...we're fortunate to have met...one of those "it was fate" moments. I owe so much of my happiness to him. He's a wonderful positive energy force in my Life...and is SO REAL...thank you Mr.R!

To my girls who keep me striving to give them more for their futures...even though we've had a quiet few days...we've been together couped up and haven't ventured out..I think I've learnt a lot about how I need to go forward. To not be AS tough on them, I think I expect too much...they're only 5 and 3...and they're precious Souls which need nurturing.

Thanks to my Mum...my other rock...(I have a few)...she's probably my biggest fan when it comes to creativity...and I am hers. I love her dearly and miss her...UK is far...it's always wonderful to chat on the phone though....thank you for the call yesterday.

Thanks to my Dad...another of my rocks...I should have listened...about the being "more commercial" with my ARt...he's a business man, I am a starving artist...(and always will be...sorry Dad) ...he's given us everything...lots of tough love and lots of effection. I miss him too...

My Big Sis...and my little Bro...they're always there for me...knowing this fills my heart.

To my dear friends...whom I cherish...who make my Life fuller.(more full?- speaking many languages has definitely screwed messed my head when it comes to grammer-sorry)

To ALL of you...who I am pleasantly surprised every day by your heartfelt comments...you make a difference...you inspire...you help ignite that flame inside which can spark new ideas and should create everyday...

What are your THURSDAY thankFULLS?

I'll be back later with my Shoe sketch...I enjoyed the 30 minute sketch I did late last night...now this is how I should apply a workout every morning give myself 30minutes(doesn't seem so bad then)...can you imagine if you measured everything in the day by 30 minutes...I would have...35 half hours in a day...THAT's SO much time...I would get SO much done!!!!
Something to ponder...

Go Char Go!!!! Love that...thank you!!!
Hasta Luego.
Char,ON

Done...

so...my Tea is now cold...do I make another or use the Microwave?

BUT...I got them finished...in half an hour!!!
I love these runners...they're my *smart* runners...which are 1/2 a size too small...but I can wear them out for dinner or lunch...but definitely NOT a stroll...or country walk.

Hmm...sorry so blaa today...I am tired.
Both our girls had fevers today...poor them...we asked their Angels this evening to take away their bad feelings and to make them better...hope they'll listen!

I better post this before you start thinking that I chickened out and ate the whole bar of chocolate instead of sketching.(I wouldn't do that!!!)

See you tomorrow.
Char,ON.
P.S. I'll be posting them in the SHOP this evening.

just do it...

I say to myself...even if it's just a half hour sketch!!!

and SO be it...I have my Tea...Earl Grey (of course) , I've just downed some Dove Dark 71% chocolate(new, never tried...quite yummy) for a little energy...I have the SHOES ready...which little Miss J chose earlier today.

Are you (or should I say  am I ) ready?

I'll be back in Half an Hour...

READY...SET...GO...

Char,ON

having FUN...

with this crocheting business...oh, our girls have a whole wardrobe planned for their babies...I think I'm getting the hang of it.
It's been years since I pushed myself into a NEW skill...this is fun!

What NEW skill have you started recently?

Hope your Tuesday is going well...I'm in the midst of drawing my Tuesday's shoes for Haiti...check back later!

Char,ON
P.S. Thanks for all the very sweet well wishes...Little Miss A is feeling better, after having a very rough day and her fever finally breaking this afternoon...and my nausea passed by the afternoon yesterday too...great to be on the mend....I'm sure it was ALL your thoughts!

cramping style...

we had a great weekend...seeing friends,skiing,birthday parties...and then...when I thought we could get through this Winter without getting sick...little Miss Ash broke down with a fever last night and stomach cramps this morning...I know there has been lots going round at school...but I seriously thought we'd surpass it this Season.

THEN I started feeling the unstable stomach cramps...

Anyway...enough about me...as we all know us Mums just Keep Calm and Carry On! (love that poster!!!)

I made my first flowers...as you can see my first attempts(the little flowers) were a little wonky...but slowly getting there...THANKS to my crafty friend Kayley for helping me out on Friday...it's always easier when someone shows you how.I have to work on them still...it's ALL VERY new to me.

My newest addition to the ART for HAITI project are my "Wedding Heels"... staying away from colour with this one...simple and straight forward...they're SUPER comfy...but not enough to wear on a daily bases...I'm just NOT a heel girl.

They'll be in my Esty Store this afternoon.
I have a big THANK YOU ...to my first sale from the ART for HAITI collection. (You know who you are...so sweet)...50% of the sale will be donated to Doctors Without Boarders...a fantastic organisation.
I'm sure you've all heard about the group of Esty girls who have been gathering Etsians to donate their creations to acheive HUGE donations to Haiti...they're past the $20,000 sales mark....AMAZING!
If you have ANYTHING to donate or wish to purchase...visit Craft for Haiti.

Another *YAY* for today...K is back from India...she was gone for a whole month!!! Want to see what she found over there? visit her blog A Bit Of Pilli Pilli for lots of gorgeous pictures...

Well...I better get back to my little sick girl...
I am HOPING that you are ALL well...

Have a good Monday...thanks for passing by.
Char,ON

kissing colours...

these colours just sing to me...I was thinking...I'd like to embellish a few of our girls clothes this Summer...
SO...perfect opportunity...we're heading over to a friend's for afternoon tea and a playdate with their girls...she(friend K) is a master crafter and can crochet really well...I however just learnt this past Holiday (thank you  Mum)...So, I am going to ask sweet K for a lesson...I want to be able to make those pretty flowers, and thought these colours would freshen up a few outfits! Both the girls have white dresses that could be brightened up...with these KISSING COLOURS...which 2 colours do you like to marry?

I'll let you know how it goes...

Have a wonderful Friday!

Char,ON

QUICK...QUICK...

I squeezed in an hour and a half sketch of my Rockports...determined to keep up  the SHOE a DAY for HAITI.
I bought these 2 summers ago...and LOVE them...they're great as you can put the whole shoe in the wash...they're airy and remind me of dance shoes when they're on.

Do I have lots of shoes? YES...               do YOU?

Thank you for all your kind comments...I really do appreciate and love reading them throughout the day...
It's 10.30...the sofa is calling my name...and I am SO beat...BUT...I still have an hour and a half before shut eye, which means I have time to post them on Esty.

Sleep well....OR...have a great day...really depends on when you're reading this...

HUGS
Char,ON

Here's where the WILD THING is...

yay...finally, one down and LOTS to go...

it's been a long time coming...(sorry Jen-I'll get this sent off to you as soon as)

Hope you've all had a great day so far...I feel like I'm a little behind, but am accomplishing a few things today. I have yet to pull out another pair of shoes for my "ART for HAITI" project...but I will get it done amongst all the other promises made today.(many of them I have promised myself!)
Hey...I still have 8 more hours until midnight...LOADSA time!!!

Do you think 5 1/2 hours sleep at night is sufficient?

Thanks for stopping by!
Char,ON

Where the wild things are...

Once upon a time...there was a Mum...who had 2 girls...she would get up early and go to bed late. Her days were filled with goals to finish, tasks to complete and errands to run. Normally she would stay up past the girls bed-time and work 4 hours on her own projects...last night her eyes would not stay open.
One promise was not made...to finish the WILD THING...

to be contd....

Sometimes I just have to accept that I can't do it all...sorry.
Char,ON

My BIRKS are UP...

...for Sale...
You can either link from the left column of our blog...or...go HERE.

I'm off to Little Miss A's School...and with be back to show you the Once Upon a Time painting I've been doing.

Have a great afternoon.
Char,ON

Wednesday's Birks...ART for HAITI

it snowed again!
YAY...we were almost sad to see the grass...and fortunately the outside temperature is still pretty mild...(for January that is!)
This morning I drew my favourite summer sandals (a quick 20 minute study)...some people across the World wear theirs ALL year round...with socks...I can't do that, it reminds me of when I lived in Mallorca,Spain and I'd be working in a resort area in the Winter months and certain Nationalities were in shorts and thier Birks with socks.
My dear sister bought me these (we have the same size shoe) about 6 years ago...LOVE them...

Worked on lots for our Mamas and Chicks Show last night...our next Show is April 16th...busy busy getting vendors and everything prepped regarding advertising etc.
AND been working on a LONG overdue Once Upon a Time painting which Jen won in Dec...I Know...but it's a very special one...and I had to watch the movie first...I'll post about it later today!

What have you been up to?

Oh Oh...look at the time...I have to go...the Gym is calling my name and then I'm volunteering up at Little Miss A's School...I love going in and seeing the dynamics of their classroom.

Gotta go...gotta go...
Birks drawing will be up on my Etsy later.

HUGS
Char,ON

TUESDAY's SHOES - Art for Haiti...contd.

there's something about Converse All Stars...I wish I could wear them ALL year round...but for 4 months they don't touch the ground outside...maybe this is why our shoes wear better...a little like snow tyres and summer tyres.

I didn't get up this morning at a crazy hour...because I slept through my alarm and was woken by Little Miss A.

So as you can see by the photo...I have just had lunch whilst finishing the sketch.

Updating my new Esty Store...there will be 3 pairs in there to date...

Mr. R asked yesterday..."How many do you think you'll do?"

I told him " as many pairs of shoes that I have in our wardrobe"..."How many is that?" ..."Not sure...I guess we'll have to wait and see" I said.

I swear it feels like Spring is just around the corner here...2 degrees and the snow is melting...what's up with that!

Hope you're having a great day.

Until tomorrow...which shoes shall I choose?...hmmm...I guess you'll have to wait and see.

Char,ON

Helping out...

I have set up my new Etsy Store...please visit it and tell me what you think!
There I am adding the shoes I draw/paint/sketch daily...and selling them in hopes of giving 50% of the proceeds to help survivours in HAITI...
Prices will vary depending on medium and how long they took to sketch.

Can you spread the word? Blog about "Char's ART for Haiti" ?
I would appreciate any help we can get...my heart goes out to all the people in need out there...but at the moment Haiti needs us.

I will post the NEW Shoes on our Blog before adding them to my Shop...this way all of you fabulous readers get first dibs on them!

The money raised will be donated to "Doctors without Boarders" ...you can read a little more about them HERE.

Thanks for visiting again...don't forget to go to my new Etsy Store.

HUGS
Char,ON

ART for HAITI - Day 2

I woke up this morning with Mr. R at 5.45AM...yup...all so I could get a head start to today, it seems I need to add a few more hours to my day....and less sleep is how it's going to happen.

Made my Earl Grey tea and a bowl of oat porrige,banana and dates...(sounds good eh!)

I chose my shoes for today...they are probably one of my favourite pairs...I got them when I was 22(LONG time ago...but they still fit)...they're from Italy...they're leather soled and patent top.

I love wearing them with black pants...they were a challenge to draw...but fun and it brought back many great clubbing memories!!

I am planning on selling the sketches/drawings or paintings in an Esty Store(still in progress) and donating a portion of the sales to Haiti.

When I have set it up I'll post the link...I hope you'll help in the raising funds...I'm still looking into where I will donate to.

Any suggestions???

Have a wonderful Monday.

HUGS

Char,ON

Sunday's shoes...for Haiti.

we hope you had a great weekend...ours up here in Canada was remarkably warm for January...which was lovely, but we really need a little bit more snow for better ski conditions and also the ice-rink is melting a little...so we haven't been skating. We did however have YUMMY Sushi takeout last night with friends...which WAS SO deeeelicious...I could eat it every day. There's just something about it...it feels like it's good for you and you never feel TOO full.

I did also pick up "The Creative License" by Danny Gregory from my bookshelf and flicked through a few pages...I love his work...and his whole story to how he came about drawing again. His work is so about the "now" and recording anything and everything around him.

SO...I have made myself a NEW challenge...as many illustrations as I do...or animals I draw...they're not studies from Life...and because I am constantly here there and everywhere with the girls...I rarely can sit at a cafe,bar, park for longer than 10 minutes without one of our darlings wanting something...and that means I have now left "MY" practice and time for my artwork studies.

SO...I am going to enlighten (said with a chuckle) you ALL with MY ENTIRE SHOE COLLECTION!!! you`ll see...I am a FAN...of shoes and boots!

Haha...and THESE...RED SHOES are my first pair.

I started off with a Pen line drawing...there will be NO erasers here...I need to see faults and correct them if there are some.

I then used my colouring pencils...it's been a while. It took approximately 1 hour to complete.

These are one of my fave pairs of shoes...I think you'll enjoy this series...it'll be a surprise every day...and oh my, I have some shoes and boots for YOU to see...heehee...

It'll be self reflective along with challenging and rewarding.
I am planning on selling the sketches/drawings or paintings in an Esty Store(still in progress) and donating a portion of the sales to Haiti.

Are there any new projects you're up to?

I will now try and get around to seeing what you've been up to, I promise...this weekend has just whisked me away from the computer...and my projects.
Until tomorrow's Shoes!!!
Char,ON

Oh...I of course forgot my camera on Friday eve when Mr. R played...but...it was awesome.MANY friends came out to support him. He's very talented...and dedicated to his passion towards music.

my MAN has a gig...

tonight at the Dubiner...it's a new pub so we'll see how they like them. He's been with this Band "Ends in N" for a year now(the lead Guitarist and Mr. R have been playing together for 14 years) and they play covers of anything from U2, Coldplay,Michael Jackson,Eagle Eye Cherry,Hendix and Lenny Kravitz...to name a few.
Yup...that's my MAN(Mr R) in the picture...they play in our basement once a week...and have done for the past 10 years that I've been here in Canada.

We're SO lucky the girls absolutely adore their music because they're usually playing between 7 and 11pm at night...the girls hit the sack at 7-7.30pm...so instead of Classical music to listen to on a Sunday night...they get soft ROCK...through the vents.
Tonight I am going out though and we have a sitter for the girls...
There's nothing like LIVE music...I'll try and catch some on my camera so you can hear them in action.

I am NOT a bit musically inclined...have never been...and only pray that the girls got a little bit of their daddy in them when it comes to music.

Do you play a musical instrument?

HAPPY Friday...feeling run down with a cold...but sweated it out at the gym this morning.
HUGS
Char,ON.

do YOU remember ?

your childhood memories?...I do...from the age of 3...walking in parks, visiting grandparents, playing with my sister and baby brother...riding horses from the age of 6 and climbing trees...we never had a tree house,but our friends did...

did you have one of these? I think they're in the shops again....I can't for the Life of me remember the name though...and it's bee bugging me.

Any one remember?

What were your childhood memories made up of?

Have a lovely Wednesday.

Char,ON

L.O.V.E this...

photo....thanks Mr R for taking pics of us on the Carousel...the girls haven't stop talking about it, and I know these are the moments in time which will be engraved on not only their brains, but in ours too.
It went pretty fast...at one point I reached over to hold on to little Miss J's jacket...which was followed by "it's o.k Mummy, I'm o.k. on my own"...breaks my heart...they grow up way too quickly!

Have a bright and cheery day!
Char,ON

Monday's mentions...

Hello my fabulous readers...this weekend sped by as always...but now in particular our weekends will be busier, and it's all brought on because we have kids...
Ballet on Saturday...skiing on Sunday and everything else inbetween...Saturday was spent prepping Dinner for friends...

we had salad with azian infused shrimp...followed by chicken stuffed with roast beetroot,garlic,cilantro,mushroom and cream-cheese wrapped in prosciutto...and mini roast veggie lasagnes...

followed by grilled pineapple,star fruit,blackberries and chocolate muffins made with chili dark chocolate...you can find the recipe HERE. I didn't have any Cinnamon...ran out???crazy,so I thought Chili Lindt Choc would work...and they were YUMMY! Oh, and I warmed them up slightly and added a ball of mango sorbet on the side...AND my camera battery ran out as I was making them...so apologies for not being able to show the finished product!

Sunday we went skiing...little Miss J was SO happy she had an ORANGE helmet(her fave colour)...but NOT so happy actually on the hill...first time out.

Little Miss A started her lessons...and LOVED it. She's such a trooper.

This morning I promised new tuttu dresses for their babies...et voila! I took an old ballet leotard and transformed it into 2 dresses.

Happy girls!

Tam called all the way from England...that really made my day(thanks Tam!)...I have been running around like a chicken with it's head cut off...laundry,school,food,lunch,dinner,cleaning,Mamas and Chicks new poster(will show tomorrow),flights for future holiday(yes,planning for holidays already)school work,reading,calling ads for used skates(Miss J's feet grew 4 sizes in one year!),cleaning some more....oh, and yoga. PHEW...I'm beat!

BUT...

I have a few MONDAY MENTIONS:

-A blog World full of sketches at URBAN SKETCHES...love how you can visit different Cities around the World and see sketches of different architecture...and more.

-AMY and ANN are back...I have missed them over the holidays...

-Maykel Nunes has done some CRAZY things in his Moleskine...check out his Flickr pics.

Have a glorious week....be sure to check back soon...this week is a busy one.

HUGS to y'all.

Char,On

salvaging old jumpers..

so I'm sure most of you know what a jumper is...but for those who don't...it's a sweater.
My wonderful Mum opened up 2 old suitcases when I found out I was pregnant 6 years ago with Little Miss A...
"Here you go" she said..."take a look through here"... there was a musty smell to all the fabrics...fabrics which I remembered wearing when I was small...fabrics which I had memories only from photos taken...this was touching, and special...thank you Mum!
I pulled out a Marimekko top...you know the classic one which has all those little bright coloured pockets,old knitted hats and gloves,dresses my Farmor(Grandmother) had made,undershirts(which my girls STILL love to wear)...then a Liberty Dress which I remember my Dad having bought for us for Christmas...green with pretty flowers...AND sweaters/jumpers which brought back Winter filled memories...times when we would spend hours outside playing in the snow building HUGE snowmen...great thick and warm woolen knitted sweaters...

jumpers I am SO happy she kept...they honestly were in good shape...I think one had a moth hole which I fixed...but other than that...both our girls have worn all the clothes which were salvaged.

Then there came a time when thoughts of storing again for another generation...or donating came across my mind...

WHAT TO DO???

I am a pack rat and hate throwing things out...especially memories and history. SO...I made these 2 necklaces from 2 sweaters...

The longest of the 2 falls just bellow my chest...and they look quite sweet with a simple jumper on.

I am really happy with the result...and know now I have memories forever which I can wear.

WHAT do you hang on to...and can't let go of in your Life?

Have a wonderful day...thanks for stopping by.

Char,ON

MOLESKINE Heaven...they ARRIVED!!!!

I really CAN'T believe it...I thought about these beautiful Moleskine "Colour a Month" notebooks and ordered them on SUNDAY(see Sunday's post)...and they arrived half an hour ago...WOW...AND considering we're in the midst of getting snow flurries...this would have taken 3 weeks to arrive if we were in the UK!
NOW...I can enjoy getting my Life organised...and lists written.

I also added this beautiful Watercolour Moleskine to the order...

ONE HAPPY LADY...(that's me)

Hope you're having a HAPPY day!
Char,ON