to POST or not to POST...

ok...here goes...I danced it infront of an audience of 500...so 950 of all of you will be ok too...right?
Please no laughing,chuckling allowed...we are 5 Mums dancing throughout the year together...and then having the guts to dance at Fiesta Week 3 times a night each night for a week.



ok...I think I will post now.
THANKS Kelly for showing me how to embed this movie!
HUGS
Char
P.S. Did you see the BOGO Free CANADA DAY SALE I'm having...it's just a 2 day sale!!!

***CANADA DAY SALE - B.O.G.O FREE***

many of you know I am going to the UK for 3 1/2 weeks to be with my Mama whilst she has her DOUBLE hip operation...
That means I'm closing shop this SATURDAY the 3rd JULY for those weeks whilst away...I`ll still be blogging and Facebooking...so...not to fret...I'm still around.

BUT...and there is a BUT,
DON'T miss out on the 2 DAY CANADA DAY SALE...where you can buy one print, and get one FREE!!!

I will still be taking custom orders for original one of a kind Watercolours whilst over there...but I am not transporting prints.

!!!HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!!

OH...and HAPPY shopping!!!

HUGS
Char.x

a little FACE-lift

an old woollen sweater,leggings which have become too short...so I cut the bottoms of the legs off to make shorts out of them.

Mr.R's shirts...getting tatty around the collar...so he gave them to moi...miss. I can use it...

whilst I waited for paint to dry (literally) I got the machine out and make some little birds...I love keeping things like all of the above...because I KNOW I will use it one day!

Little Miss J's Jeans had shrunk (or she's growing!), oh and she had 2 holes in the knees!

...I refuse to by a new pair of jeans for her right now,and they still fit her perfectly around the waist...so...a little repair and lengthening did the job!

what do you think?

do you upcycle? Have any links for me? I'm thinking I could upcycle quite a few of their old clothes...

Hope you had a great Tuesday...I'm hoping to finish my Dad this evening...thanks for all the compliments!!

HUGS

Char.x.

to be continued...

do you remember this post about my Mum?

well, it's a little delayed...but I'm working on "My Dad" as a belated Father's Day tribute...

I'll be back tomorrow with a colourful rendition of the above...

Bon nuit...sleep well...OR...good morning and have a great day...

Off to catch some dreams...

Char.x

Luxray the GREAT

good morning everyone,thank you dearly for all the sweet comments....last week was a SUPER busy one,so if I haven'y replied or visited your World yet...I will try tonight

...it's the start of a new week...and it's going to be a busy one!

late last night I finished Luxray for Vincent. He's turning 7 and loves Pokemon...so I found Luxray who's one of the characters...this is my first non-real animal which I have painted. As an artist you have to bend to others sometimes...kids grow up...we have to grow with them!

the binders of my watercolour pads are filled with colour tests...I keep them as a memory of the paintings I did...is that wierd?

What do you keep that not too many people know about?

have a great Monday.

HUGS,

Char.

woof...woof...woof...

it's Sunday evening(already),how was your evening?...

the girls are in bed after a busy day, daddy took them flying this afternoon which they LOVED...we've had a full week of dancing and trying to finish projects which have been put on hold for a while.

Here are the 3 finished Once Upon a Time watercolour commissions, their dog passed away and the 3 siblings will each receive one from their Mum...how sweet!

I have SO much organising to do before we go to the UK next week...and a couple more commissions to finish.
Just about to start another Once Upon a Time painting now...I will post it tomorrow morning.

2 more days of school this week...and Canada Day on Thursday...which is also our 10th year wedding Anniversary. I know...10 years...pretty great considering we only knew each other physically for 5 days before Mr.R proposed...I KNOW...crazy!!!

have to go paint...so have a good evening/sleep/morning.
HUGS
Char,ON

testing testing...

So...here is a video of the girls dancing...hope you can see it...(excuse the heads...I was stuck behind a very tall gentleman)
I still don't know how to embed a video clip...I know some of you have...any tips would be appreciated...thanks!

Here is is:: little miss A and little miss J dancing their Caribbean dancing...

Have a great Friday evening...we're off to do some more dancing.
HUGS
Char,On

GUESS what...little miss J made.

hey folks...can you guess what miss J wanted to make this afternoon?...don't scroll to the end just yet...try and guess...

nope....try again...remember...don't scroll down too far...

ok...some of you may know now...

still can't guess?

yup...she had a passion to make masks this afternoon...

such an easy and cheap craft to make with hours of imaginary play...I may even make some adult ones....hmm, could be another project to add to the list!

Have a great evening...I'm still trying to upload  a video for you all to see but I think I am blinded by tiredness....still can't figure it out.
HUGS
Char

Show and Tell x4

I was just over at *Cart before the Horse* and there's a game which I thought would be fun to play on this rainy day...

if you'd like to play::

OK, here's the game-

In your picture files, go to the 4th album, then go to the 4th picture. Show and tell.

 Then go down 4 more albums, go to the 4th picture, and show and tell.

Do this 4 times (if you can) to get a total of 4 pictures.

Ready, get set, go!

a painting for Beth I made at Christmas...

a lavender pillow of Love...which I made and gave to little Finn.

a little girl's bedroom mural...wow, time passes, this was painted almost 4 years ago.

little Miss A hanging in our family room...at just 3 months old...

That was FUN!

If you want to play too,

just leave a link to your

Show and Tell

in the comments.

Char,ON

right now...

I have a sleepy,tired  little lady from dancing yesterday(I'm trying to figure out how to post a video of their moves-any tips I would appreciate)
She's a little upset because her big sister gets to go on a school bus today to the Movie Theatre and see Toy Story 3.
She's wearing the prettiest skirt made by PATOUCHE(I would love one for myself...the fabrics are just SO gorgeous)
We're off to have a Mummy daughter outing to the local coffee house...that should cheer her up!

What are you up to today?

THANK YOU ALL for your best wishes yesterday...it was a little hairy scary!!!
HUGS
Char.x.

Earthquake in TORONTO...Montreal, Ottawa, Pittsburgh...

Sitting sketching, Little Miss J was with me at the kitchen table making cards for her little buddies...when it felt as though the table was sliding back and forth...the African Iris we have in the corner of the kitchen was being blown by a wind which didn't exist...the thunder rumbled in the mid-day SUN?
Yes, we definitely felt and saw this Quake, we were very fortunate it only measured 5.5.
Lake Ontario which is a 10 minute drive from our house has a major fault line running up it...we have felt quakes before...but this was different, and what with all the other crazy quakes which have been happening in the World...it makes you wonder, it makes you think...

Did it effect you and your Life today?

BIG hugs to you all and I'm pleased everyone is safe.
We're in a time of change...I just worry for our children...and pray that they have a safe and happy Life...

Bon nuit... a domain.
Char,ON

wordless Wednesday...

HUGS
Char,ON

A LOST LOVE...

meet Dylan the Dog...he passed just a couple of weeks ago,poor thing, but he was old...his owner called me up..."I'd love to have 3 paintings ,one for each of my children of Dylan and them...can this be done?"

of course it can be done!

and these are the times I love...keeping busy...drawing,painting and making smiles apear on others...

it's been a long day...emotionally exhausting...but I won't bore you.

sweet dreams...don't let the bed-bugs bite!

HUGS

Char.x.

TELL all TUESDAYS :: Vicki from Lilliput Loft

Good morning to you all, we're back with our Tell ALL Tuesdays...today's plans were shifted a little as we have down pours which means no parks this mornng...
SO let me introduce you to a multi talented and ever so kind and thoughtful artist,sculptor,seemstress...her name is Vicki and she has an Etsy Store called Lilliput Loft which is stocked full of handmade creations...here's a little interview with her::

Tell us a little about the Town you live in... & have you always lived there?

I live with my very own knight in shining armour, my husband of 36 years. Our neighbourhood where we have lived for the past 15 years, is pretty nice. There is a small lake with ducks, water hens and sometimes visiting pelicans, a short stroll down the bush land pathway across the road from our house. My three little granddaughters (2, 3 & 5) have all enjoyed feeding the ducks with bits of bread…even though there are council signs forbidding this. (Some experiences in life should not be outlawed.)

If you could move anywhere tomorrow, where would it be?

It would be hard to leave here, but I could live anywhere (not too cold or too hot) in the world, so long as I was with my hubby, and with my family.

How structured is your day usually?

No real structure nowadays. Just so long as I can get some house work /gardening done, and hopefully create some items for Lilliput Loft. I always make time to drop everything and be with my family if needed.

What did you do today?

I spend at least one day a week with my daughter and 2 year old granddaughter, but most of this day will be spent ironing. (probably)

Are you a cat or dog person? 

I have always been more of a cat person. But that is not to say I dislike dogs.  

Are you a breakfast, lunch or dinner girl?

 I can’t start the day without breakfast, which is usually just a bowl of cereal and a cup of tea.

If you had 6 friends over for Dinner what would you make for them?

I am not so fond of the kitchen and my cooking skills are nothing fancy, but, it would be some thing edible.

How old were you when you knew you were on the right path in your Life?
I knew I needed a Saviour (Jesus Christ) when I was about 7years old, and I knew I wanted to marry my husband when I was 17years of age.

Who /what drove and inspired your love to create?

I just knew what I enjoyed doing, and proceeded to do it. Over the years, I have enjoyed drawing, painting, pastels; working with clay creating whimsical creatures, and firing them in my gas kiln; sewing; decorating…I have done 27 weddings at various church halls.

Tell us something not too many people know about you
I have a highly sensitive sense of smell, and many perfumes/scents that other people think of as nice to smell, I find unbearable.

Shoe choice::flats or heels?
Love the LOOK of high heels, but prefer flats. I own a comfortable/expensive pair of sneakers that I bought for walking, and they would have to be my favourite shoes.

What was the last book you read?
Funny thing is that I do love to read, but really can’t remember the last book I read. Maybe a Catherine Cookson…?

What advice would you give others just starting out?

Do not take things too seriously. Do not rush your grandchildren, but take the time and savour everything they do. Enjoy each and every day you are given. Make the most of good health when you own it, as you might not always have it.

Name 5 blogs you love visiting, and tell us why.

I have just discovered ‘A Fanciful Twist’ and it sounds like my kind of blog, as there is a lot of fantasy. They are hosting their 3rd Mad Tea Party soon, and I can’t wait to be a part of the fun.

I adore ‘Cart before the horse’…loads of creative talent.
 ‘We Blog Artists’ … full of creative drawings and whimsy.
 A friend down south, in Canberra has a blog that I keep up to date with, called ‘Grace Designs’.
 And another friend has a blog, ‘Claire Rose’ that I keep an eye on…but am always dismayed that she has added nothing …(I keep hoping she will have something lovely to share…)

THANK YOU Vicki for taking part and sharing your Life with us...
Please go and say hello to Vicki at  Lilliput Loft
AND visit her BLOG

I hope you've been having fun with the SUMMER time Game we started playing in our last post!

Have a great day, see you tomorrow.
HUGS
Char

Summer-TIME- GAMEs...

Good Monday morning...or afternoon should I say, as I started this post this morning early and then had a phone call from a friend...."could you, would you....how soon can you?"

Her niece is turning 17 whilst they're on their family Vacation. My good friend D bought a beautiful leather bound travel journal for her and asked if I would add an insert for the opening page. So we spent 1 1/2 hours chatting and finding out exatcly where she was off to. I sketched and sipped tea...and this is what became...they're off to London for a few days and then to a beautiful Villa in Tivoli for 3 weeks...prime location 30 minutes outside Rome...they'll have a wonderful trip!

I was thinking I would at least be able to log in and post a couple of times this weekend...but time flew away with me...The girls had their recital,too cute...

Little Miss J loved her little butterfly costume and did so well on stage...she even smiled...

Little Miss A was graceful as ever and remembered all her moves.

ONE very proud Mama here!

::SUMMER GAME::

So...this morning I was thinking - we didn't play our little game I said we would have on Friday...I just want to see out of curiousity, as my "STATcounter" says I get hundreds of views a day...but I don't know because I don't get hundreds of comments...so, lets play a game.

Go to the Comments below...ask a question and either I will answer it or another reader will.

We'll keep this going for all of today and see actually how many people read the whole post...or how many of you fabulous readers just look at pictures??...please if you read this ...comment below..the question can be very random!

HAPPY SUMMER-TIME-GAMES!!!

HUGS

Char,ON

all choked up

today was a special day...(here's the painting I made for Little Miss A's teacher thanking for such an amazing year)

our little Miss A graduated from Kindergarten...

and thankfully she'll be moving up into Grade 1 with her best buddie...Little miss O.
I am so proud of her...and am SO shocked at how quickly these 6 years have past.
I am also quite choked up...does it get any easier? Accepting that your little ones are forever getting older?
Her smile fills my heart...thank you little Miss A for you are our pride and joy. Keep smiling those beautiful smiles...they will get you far in Life!!

Have a lovely evening fabulous readers and thanks for stopping by...check back tomorrow...I have a game to play with you.
HUGS
Char,ON

sincere THANKS

hey everyone...yup, I'm back...I've been keeping up with my daily goals recently...other than small minor things as putting the Laundry away, or cleaning dishes...BUT I have finished a very important painting...

Once Upon a Time...there was a lady who a friend highly recommended for our little Miss A to have for her Kindergarten Teacher. My wishes were met and little Miss A will be Graduating from senior Kindergarten tomorrow having had Mrs.E for 2 years.

It'll be an extremely busy day...

this painting is for Mrs.E...to thank her for this year.

NEVER have I had difficulties with Miss A and School...she absolutely LOVES her class and Mrs.E. Most days she runs to school...I owe this all to Mrs.E.

Mrs. E loves music and has a piano in her classroom...they sing all day...she's everything a Kindergarten teacher should be, fun,caring,patient,musical,enthusiastic and energetic and much much more.

 I'm really happy about the colours...and the details in the bird.

I hope she likes it.

I'm falling asleep...buenas noches...hasta Viernes.

Besos,

Char,ON

boys and their tractors...

good morning...are you having a good Wednesday?

we're having a quiet morning...it's raining today...

the girls are tired from Caribbean dancing last night...they perform every night next week...we have what's called "Fiesta Week" here starting on Father's Day. I think there are 12 Pavillions in our town...Polish,Italian,French,German etc...and ours is the Caribbean Hall.

They're all open for Lunch where they serve their traditional cuisines and then open again for the evening...each Hall hosts a show with dancing from their country. It's a lot of fun...but it will be a LONG week.

my nephew just turned 2 and is pretty hot on Tractors...I wasn't going to post this until he received it in the mail...but I don't think he'll check in on our blog here...so I think we're safe...

I have a painting for Miss A's teacher to finish today which I started last night...and the girls finished the Grad cards for Miss A's class yesterday(can you believe the Kindergartens have a full blown Graduation?)...

times are busy around here...2 weeks left of school...and then we'll be packing to come over to the UK.

not sure what to get my husband for Father's day...any suggestions?

Have a lovely day...

HUGS

Char,ON