Today was a busy day,I helped up at the school with their Valantine's crafts...the conversations which I heard amongst the 6 year olds were very interesting.Everything from Hockey, skiing to Valentine's wishes...it starts very young..trust me!
These are my girls loving being geeks...aren't they cute...my point and shoot camera is all I have so enhancing the photo is always a regular occurrence after taking photos.
I have 3 bloggers who's photography I just adore...
FIRST meet Andrea from Hula Seventy...she gets to be first as she just turned 40! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Andrea!!! Her photography is awesome...she obviously loves capturing the moment but has an eye and love for anything Retro...go take a peek!
SECONDLY meet Charlane from Ramblins she's an amazing person who is able to capture Life not just in photos but in words too...a very wise lady! Please go and say hello...she recently posted the most wonderful pics of her nephews...
and THIRDLY...Abby from Abby Try Again is an amazing photographer from Portland now living in Texas...I love the feel of her photos...they have a Soul...each one of them.She has a little announcement on her blog today too....(smile)
And that's it for today...I am off to work more on my Summer Art Camp...lots of planning to do.
Do you have any photographers you LOVE who blog?
Please share your links.
Until tomorrow.
HUGS
Char.x
Monday, January 31, 2011
why not!
Why not go sledding...or sledging(as we say in the UK) JUST before Sunset...
I think we had 20 minutes before the Sun went down...it was beautiful!
A small enough hill that the kids never tired of walking back up to the top...
and a large enough hill that there were screams of speed and laughter at the bottom!
Here in Canada you HAVE to enjoy the Winters...if not...you'll be pretty down and out for half the year!
I didn't use a flash for any of these...as you can see (uhheem) so I did need to up the brightness and contrast before posting them on our blog.I'll be returning later for our "Monday mentions"...but wanted to THANK all of you for your input with regards to my Summer Art Camp flyer/venture...THANK YOU!!!
And to say Happy Monday....we're going to get LOTS of snow up here...how is it where you are today?
My Sis B is expecting to give birth any day now to #2...we're so excited over here...
Good Luck B!
Mum...Hi, I know you've finally got on the internet and are eading daily...I love that I can leave you little messages.
HUGS to you all.
Char.x
Friday, January 28, 2011
reality check
HAPPY Friday everyone...
so...it's nearing the end of January,I haven't shown you or told you about ALL my 2011 goals.
BUT, here's a BIG one which I JUST finished making the flyer for.
I'm running it out of my studio...which still has to be built...nothing like pressure eh!
I'm really excited, and am hoping to fill these camp weeks with budding young artists who want to learn and have fun being creative!
I'll only have 5 students at a time, plus my two girls...
What do you think?
Have a great weekend.
Char.x
so...it's nearing the end of January,I haven't shown you or told you about ALL my 2011 goals.
BUT, here's a BIG one which I JUST finished making the flyer for.
I'm running it out of my studio...which still has to be built...nothing like pressure eh!
I'm really excited, and am hoping to fill these camp weeks with budding young artists who want to learn and have fun being creative!
I'll only have 5 students at a time, plus my two girls...
What do you think?
Have a great weekend.
Char.x
Thursday, January 27, 2011
I collect...
CORKS!...but so do friends of mine FOR me...as I really hardly ever drink wine...just socially...so collecting on my own would be a hard slog, and a lengthy task...
I have been meaning to craft something out of them...and have been collecting ideas...
I love their history...where they're all from...they travel from every part of the World. South Africa,Austrailia,Europe,Chile,America...
I love the different textures of cork used...the colours the wine has made the cork...
One day I will make a LARGE Art installment for our dining room...
BUT...until then...for you...
carefully one by one...
a heart is born...
This post was inspired by KENZI over here and I was reminded by "K" from over here that I should be crafting SOMETHING out of them!!!
What do you collect??
Have a lovely Thursday...until tomorrow.
Char.x
I have been meaning to craft something out of them...and have been collecting ideas...
I love their history...where they're all from...they travel from every part of the World. South Africa,Austrailia,Europe,Chile,America...
I love the different textures of cork used...the colours the wine has made the cork...
One day I will make a LARGE Art installment for our dining room...
BUT...until then...for you...
carefully one by one...
a heart is born...
This post was inspired by KENZI over here and I was reminded by "K" from over here that I should be crafting SOMETHING out of them!!!
What do you collect??
Have a lovely Thursday...until tomorrow.
Char.x
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Tell ALL Tuesdays :: Nicole from Sleepy Time Gal
Hurrah...another Tell All Tuesdays...not sure about you...but I love taking a small peak into our fabulous readers and their creative busy lives...
They have all been great with me and responded SO positively to letting go of their daily ongoings...so that all of you(and me) can enjoy their stories.(Thank you!)
So...without further adieu...let us introduce you to the FABULOUS Nicole, from one special blog...the Sleepy Time Gal ...make sure to go over there and say hello.
Introducing:: Nicole from the Sleepy Time Gal
They have all been great with me and responded SO positively to letting go of their daily ongoings...so that all of you(and me) can enjoy their stories.(Thank you!)
So...without further adieu...let us introduce you to the FABULOUS Nicole, from one special blog...the Sleepy Time Gal ...make sure to go over there and say hello.
Introducing:: Nicole from the Sleepy Time Gal
Tell us a little about the Town you live in... and have you always lived there?
In live in an old town called Carlisle, Pa., established in 1751, and grew up in an even older town, Gloucester, Va., established in 1651. There’s something magical about living a modern life among the remnants of history all around you.
If you could move anywhere tomorrow, where would it be?
Possibly New England. I wouldn’t dare leave the east coast, and am slightly curious about how much better its fall foliage is compared to Pennsylvania.
How structured is your day usually? Monday is always the most structured. Tasks are completed, cleaning begun, and there are high hopes for the remainder of the week. As the days go by, though, life with four young ones somehow, naturally, slows down. By Friday, I’m wondering where in the world my organizer disappeared to.
Hey, there’s always Monday, right?
What did you do today?
Made the day’s bread. Held one of my daughters on one hip while I did most of it. Taught another daughter how to build with Lincoln Logs. Danced to the music of Gigi (with girls twirling around me) while I unloaded the dishwasher. Said goodbye to my husband flying to Vermont. Starred at the mess from lunch. Washed whites just for the background noise for the twins’ nap. Finally dressed for the day 12:30.
Made the day’s bread. Held one of my daughters on one hip while I did most of it. Taught another daughter how to build with Lincoln Logs. Danced to the music of Gigi (with girls twirling around me) while I unloaded the dishwasher. Said goodbye to my husband flying to Vermont. Starred at the mess from lunch. Washed whites just for the background noise for the twins’ nap. Finally dressed for the day 12:30.
Are you a breakfast, lunch or dinner girl?
Breakfast, definitely. It is the one meal where you are the most rested and recharged, ready to start the day with something, hopefully, that requires maple syrup.
Breakfast, definitely. It is the one meal where you are the most rested and recharged, ready to start the day with something, hopefully, that requires maple syrup.
If you had 6 friends over for Dinner what would you make for them?
My mom’s cheese souffle. Right out of the oven it looks quite impressive and goes well with baked potato (loaded, of course) and greens.
My mom’s cheese souffle. Right out of the oven it looks quite impressive and goes well with baked potato (loaded, of course) and greens.
How old were you when you knew you were on the right path in your Life?
Each day I’m trying to find that path. I think that is the excitement and trouble with life. Becoming a mother definitely gave me a concrete role in my life.
Each day I’m trying to find that path. I think that is the excitement and trouble with life. Becoming a mother definitely gave me a concrete role in my life.
Who /what drove and inspired your love to create?
My dad has always been an artist, so much of my creative desire came from him. Just like him, I like to dabble between art, photography, and, in my case, creating for my home and children.
There’s something wonderful about creating for your family that only enhances the feeling of “home”.
Tell us something not too many people know about you.In my freshman year of college, I won a dance contest, dancing disco.
Shoe choice::flats or heels?
Flats. The kind that are so “flat” and uncomfortable that you’d rather just go barefoot. So maybe my answer is barefoot.
What was the last book you read?The Hurried Child: Growing Up Too Fast Too Soon by David Elkind
How did you start blogging?
It started as a simple place to share the events of our family with friends and it turned into a space to vocalize motherhood, creating, and everything in between. Now it is an ingrained part of my life.
Name 5 blogs you love visiting, and tell us why.
www.dana-made-it.com (For sewing inspiration)
http://schlitzohren.blogspot.com/ (For motherhood in the raw)
http://smittenkitchen.com/ (To see food I’d rather drool over instead of actually make)
http://www.designmom.com/ (To see the latest in design)
We know you’ve become involved with helping the Women of Congo, please tell us a little more about what you’re doing.
First of all, let me inform you of what is taking place in the Congo:
• The war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo began with the Rwandan genocide.
• It is the deadliest war since WWII, and also the most ignored.
• Over 7 million dead, with 45,000 more continuing to die each month.
• Innocent women are used as weapons in this war: warring militias compete to be the most brutal, and thus the most feared.
• Thousands of women (ranging from ages 3-80) are gang raped each month.
• Women are forced to watch as family members are kidnapped and killed.
• According to public health researcher Amber Peterman, it is estimated that 1152 women are raped in the DRC every day. That’s four, every 5 minutes. That means that there are already over three million rapes in the Congo.
The exciting news is that Ann Richmond, the founder of Yoga for Congo Women,and I are organizing the sixth Yoga for Congo Women event this spring! The first event to take place on the east coast! View a video clip HERE.
Thanks Nicole for being part of today's Tell ALL Tuesdays...it was wonderful getting to know you a little more.
If you haven't been to Sleepy Time Gal's blog...please visit Nicole HERE.
Have a great day.
HUGS
HUGS
Char.x
Monday, January 24, 2011
Mondays mentions...and crafting this past weekend...
Hello there...before we get to our " Monday's Mentions",I'd like to introduce to you our cat Jazzy...she LOVES to get involved(literally).
She sat (very close by) whilst I cut out ALL 437 hearts for our daughter's class Valentine's projects which I have offered to do with them.
I'm really very fortunate to have 2 lovely teachers who welcome the help within their classrooms.So for this project the Kindergarten class which Miss J is in will write out 7 names of the people they LOVE...and then copy the names on each heart. THEN, the fun part, we will paint the hearts or stamp them...I haven't figured out which yet.
I have cut one LARGE heart for each of them which will say "I LOVE YOU" on it...and hanging from the large heart will be all the smaller ones.
It'll be a fun project...
Miss A will be working on the same project, but their class will have 14 hearts to hang from their main one...and they will have to write...14 names of people they love and WHY they love them...a little more challenging, but they are in Grade 1.
I bagged every project in individual Zip-lock bags...this way their teachers will find it easier to store from week to week. I'm prettyy excited about starting this...I will go in this afternoon to start with Miss J's class.
Here's another fun drawing exercise which the girls did on Friday...they had a friend over for a play-date, so I covered the kitchen table with paper(something I should do more often as it inspired them to sit and draw) and they had fun colouring...
Miss J always asks me to draw something...this time it was girls(as their very into their dolls right now) so I drew some but without hair...this way their imagination could run a little...
I love afternoons like this...
especially when it's -26 degrees out there!!!
We're getting the true Canadian Winter here this week...and we still went skiing on Sunday...it was only -40 with the windchill!!!
So...onwards with our Mondays Mentions.
As we're on the subject of "Crafts", I think it appropriate to mention some Crafters out there today whom I adore to visit on a regular bases...some have become great friends.
FIRST we have Andrea from Andrea Creates,she's truly a crafty lady who creates wonderful pouches, clips,bags...you name it...she can make it. She's also a very sweet lady...who always encourages us over here at our blog...thank you Andrea!
SECOND I would like to introduce you to "K" from a Bit of PilliPilli...a beautiful Dutch crafter living in Italy...her sewing skills are incredible and I just adore her photography!
Another friend who I have made through BLOGland...Thank you K!(P.S.she's been featured as one of our Tell ALL Tuesdays spotlights....link at top!)
and THIRD I have to mention Sandra from Herzenart ...WOW...I just adore her Viking creations...she's a true crafter and always has an interesting post...thanks Sandra!!
DON"T forget to leave me your link to your Mondays Mentions...I always love hearing about other bloggers who create and make...
Off to clean my house...do Laundry...and run errands...amongst other things...
What are you up to today?
snowy hugs
Char.x
She sat (very close by) whilst I cut out ALL 437 hearts for our daughter's class Valentine's projects which I have offered to do with them.
I'm really very fortunate to have 2 lovely teachers who welcome the help within their classrooms.So for this project the Kindergarten class which Miss J is in will write out 7 names of the people they LOVE...and then copy the names on each heart. THEN, the fun part, we will paint the hearts or stamp them...I haven't figured out which yet.
I have cut one LARGE heart for each of them which will say "I LOVE YOU" on it...and hanging from the large heart will be all the smaller ones.
It'll be a fun project...
Miss A will be working on the same project, but their class will have 14 hearts to hang from their main one...and they will have to write...14 names of people they love and WHY they love them...a little more challenging, but they are in Grade 1.
I bagged every project in individual Zip-lock bags...this way their teachers will find it easier to store from week to week. I'm prettyy excited about starting this...I will go in this afternoon to start with Miss J's class.
Here's another fun drawing exercise which the girls did on Friday...they had a friend over for a play-date, so I covered the kitchen table with paper(something I should do more often as it inspired them to sit and draw) and they had fun colouring...
Miss J always asks me to draw something...this time it was girls(as their very into their dolls right now) so I drew some but without hair...this way their imagination could run a little...
I love afternoons like this...
especially when it's -26 degrees out there!!!
We're getting the true Canadian Winter here this week...and we still went skiing on Sunday...it was only -40 with the windchill!!!
So...onwards with our Mondays Mentions.
*Monday's mentions*
is a Monday ritual to open doors to creative Souls who blog and live the "handmade" pledge...who you may or may not know already... enjoy.
is a Monday ritual to open doors to creative Souls who blog and live the "handmade" pledge...who you may or may not know already... enjoy.
FIRST we have Andrea from Andrea Creates,she's truly a crafty lady who creates wonderful pouches, clips,bags...you name it...she can make it. She's also a very sweet lady...who always encourages us over here at our blog...thank you Andrea!
SECOND I would like to introduce you to "K" from a Bit of PilliPilli...a beautiful Dutch crafter living in Italy...her sewing skills are incredible and I just adore her photography!
Another friend who I have made through BLOGland...Thank you K!(P.S.she's been featured as one of our Tell ALL Tuesdays spotlights....link at top!)
and THIRD I have to mention Sandra from Herzenart ...WOW...I just adore her Viking creations...she's a true crafter and always has an interesting post...thanks Sandra!!
DON"T forget to leave me your link to your Mondays Mentions...I always love hearing about other bloggers who create and make...
Off to clean my house...do Laundry...and run errands...amongst other things...
What are you up to today?
snowy hugs
Char.x
Friday, January 21, 2011
I was interviewed...my 1st ever!!!(blush blush)
Thanks RIKRAK for the ever so fun interview you invited me to be a part of...
HERE IT IS... (blushing still)
It's my first ever...very honoured.
THANK you...RikRak Studio
Happy Weekend everyone!
blushing HUGS
Char.x
HERE IT IS... (blushing still)
It's my first ever...very honoured.
THANK you...RikRak Studio
Happy Weekend everyone!
blushing HUGS
Char.x
Thursday, January 20, 2011
While I was out...
Hello lovelies...I know...I didn't think I would be back either...BUT I had to share my buys with you today...
I can say these are from my parents for Christmas...as I was given a little speding money and had to indulge...
Do you own Carla Sonheim's DRAWING LAB for mixed media artists? I love it...I have read SO many fabulous reviews about it...and thought I would check it out in person...I couldn't put it down...so into my basket and home it came.(after paying ofcourse!!!)
There are 52 creative exercises in the book and they're all fun and probably not something I would even think to push myself in doing...I know as an artist I seem to get stuck in a rutt and do the same old things, using the same old techniques over and over.
She helps you see things differently...out of the box rather than trapped in it!
I really am inspired by people and there is a whole section dedicated to this...and one dedicated to being inspired by children...it's a MUST!!! It'll give you creative ideas and expand your creativity.I am currently working on LAB 16, and am LOVING it.
Katherine Dunn amongst MANY other things has taught me to remember.
Thank you Katherine!
On a COMPLETELY different note...we went grocery shopping today...the above picture is what I would have ONLY bought if Miss J wasn't with me today!!!
The picture below is what Miss J pleaded with me to buy...I have to hide the majority of them as Mr R will devour them if not!!! (heehee...no sweet teeth in this House!!!)
I can say these are from my parents for Christmas...as I was given a little speding money and had to indulge...
Do you own Carla Sonheim's DRAWING LAB for mixed media artists? I love it...I have read SO many fabulous reviews about it...and thought I would check it out in person...I couldn't put it down...so into my basket and home it came.(after paying ofcourse!!!)
There are 52 creative exercises in the book and they're all fun and probably not something I would even think to push myself in doing...I know as an artist I seem to get stuck in a rutt and do the same old things, using the same old techniques over and over.
She helps you see things differently...out of the box rather than trapped in it!
I really am inspired by people and there is a whole section dedicated to this...and one dedicated to being inspired by children...it's a MUST!!! It'll give you creative ideas and expand your creativity.I am currently working on LAB 16, and am LOVING it.
THIS amazing book- "Creative Illustration Workshop for mixed media Artists"...truly is a masterpiece in itself...and her work remind's me a little of Mark Chagall's paintings...is written and illustrated by Katherine Dunn.
...it's what I need right now. I believe sometimes when you're searching too hard...images don't come. AND yet, all you need to do is "remember" images...we have a life-time of images stored in our memories...I need to use them.Katherine Dunn amongst MANY other things has taught me to remember.
Thank you Katherine!
On a COMPLETELY different note...we went grocery shopping today...the above picture is what I would have ONLY bought if Miss J wasn't with me today!!!
The picture below is what Miss J pleaded with me to buy...I have to hide the majority of them as Mr R will devour them if not!!! (heehee...no sweet teeth in this House!!!)
Sometimes a little junk is good for the cold days of Winter..especially chocolate!(uuuhheemmm...cough...cough)
Well...I am off now...signing out...see you tomorrow.
I hope you've had a wonderful day...
sweet HUGS
Char.x
I WANT
I WOULD LOVE :
to capture the love I have for my family in a HUGE painting...
I would like to get my house in order...but what's more important than a Happy Family?
to thank you all personally...ALL 1098 of you...THANK YOU...for becoming readers of our World here...
to always be able to help up at our girls school...should I have been a teacher? hmmmm....
to stay longer ... but we have errands, library and the day to get on with....
do I have a photo for you? NOPE...not until later...BUT...if you want a sneak peek at MY Valentine LOVES...head HERE for some delights!
HONESTLY...you will NOT be dissapointed :-) and you may even get HOOKED on Pinterest!!!!
is your day busy already???...I know we're having a busy one and it's not even 9am yet!
HUGS,
Char.x
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Tell ALL Tuesdays with Julia Freund
Hi everyone...it's Tell All Tuesdays again...
We're introducing you to a very dear and talented artist and illustrator Julia Freund.
Such a talent...I wish everyone was so much closer so that we could all meet up and chat over a cup of Tea!
Drum roll.....here's Julia from Lineanongrata ::
Tell us a little about the Town you live in... & have you always lived there?
If you could move anywhere tomorrow, where would it be?
How structured is your day usually?
Are you a cat or dog person?
I'm a breakfast, lunch and dinner girl. Unfortunately I'm heavily hypoglycemic so I need to eat at regular intervals. Also I started training for a half Marathon, so these days I even wake up once a night because I'm so hungry.
How old were you when you knew you were on the right path in your Life?
Tell us something not too many people know about you.
SouleMama
Janet Clare
The Purl Bee
Prickly Pear Bloom
Angry Chicken
We're introducing you to a very dear and talented artist and illustrator Julia Freund.
Such a talent...I wish everyone was so much closer so that we could all meet up and chat over a cup of Tea!
Drum roll.....here's Julia from Lineanongrata ::
Tell us a little about the Town you live in... & have you always lived there?
I live in Berlin (Germany), the city my mother grew up in and my grandparents are buried, but I was born in Bielefeld and raised in a tiny village close to Bielefeld.
I would stay right here. I have never been so happy to be anywhere.
How structured is your day usually?
Usually I manage to put some semblance of structure in my day. Some days are better than others and I get a lot of the 'have to' things done, some days are not so good and in the evening I don't remember a single useful thing I've done.
What did you do today?
Unfortunately, today I forgot to get up at the appointed time in the morning. There was a kitchen wall to be painted still, four illustrations that needed to be done, according to my running schedule I still have to run for about half an hour… We'll have to see at midnight how much really got accomplished in the end.
Definitely a dog person. Cats don't like me and so I've never really gotten close enough to a cat to find out if I could like them.
Are you a breakfast, lunch or dinner girl?
I'm a breakfast, lunch and dinner girl. Unfortunately I'm heavily hypoglycemic so I need to eat at regular intervals. Also I started training for a half Marathon, so these days I even wake up once a night because I'm so hungry.
How old were you when you knew you were on the right path in your Life?
Old. I was already in my mid-twenties. It took me a while to figure it out and even longer to persuade the family one could make a living as an illustrator and designer. We had quite the family drama around that time.
Who /what drove & inspired your love to create?
Nothing. It has just always been that way for me.
I am always very afraid I might hurt somebody's feelings.
Shoe choice::flats or heels?
Flat.
What was the last book you read?
'Last night in Twisted River' by John Irving.
What advice would you give others just starting out?
Be present online, network, be courageous and stick with it. Go to the art and craft fairs, let people know you exist.
Name 5 blogs you love visiting, and tell us why.
Some of them are friends, Tracy even is a partner in the Food for Thought Project, and the blogs are a great way to keep up with what they're doing.
Amanda from SouleMama is a consistently good writer and the small daily moments on her blog are like a breath of fresh and calmer air during my crazy days at the moment.
Amy Carol is funny and sharp, her blog always full of information, and the Purl Bee do (in my opinion) market their products brilliantly through their blog full of inspiration and ideas.
THANK YOU so much for joining us today Julia...I just adore your work, and as you know I am fortunate enough to have one of your 2011 Calendar's.
You can find Julia at her::
Until next week's Tell ALL Tuesdays...
Show Julia some love and say hello!
HUGS and thanks for popping by!
Char.x
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