Giving thanks to our Teachers...

We're so fortunate to have had amazing teachers for our girls...this particular piece is for Miss A's Teacher who she has had for 3 years...this is not the norm I know...but because she moved up a Grade when Miss A did...things worked out well.

I was a little stumped as I really didn't know what I should paint for her...last year I painted this and the year before she received this one.
So I went with symbolism.She gives her ALL to these kids...and I have always felt like she looks out for them just as a parent would...making sure their manners are good and always helping others. She really has been a true blessing in Miss A's life.

I hope she knows how much we adore her. What could be better than to have your daughter LOVE school...and now LOVE reading too? She's a fairy Godmother!!!
 So, here's the finished piece, and below framed...with Miss J's teacher's gift below.

So, I really thought it would be difficult to match such an amazing Teacher as Miss A has had...but Miss J was blessed too to have Mrs.O...

Honestly, Miss J is a changed girl in school...she thrives on challenges, listens intently and never speaks out of turn...she definitely isn't as social as Miss A...but has made some great friends.

 Her teacher keeps them doing and moving constantly...if there's ever a little disruption...she moves them on swiftly to another task...it's so wonderful!

 So this elephant is for her and her children (who I know mean the World to her)...I love teachers who have kids...they can relate better I think.

Thank you Mrs O and Thank you Mrs E...from the bottom of our hearts we are SO grateful for all your hard work!

Another year is finished...SK and Grade 2 next year...Miss A will be in a 2/3 split  and Miss J will get her teacher again next year for SK.

We're so proud of our girls...can you tell??

Have a great Wednesday...I know it's Wordless Wednesday today...but words were needed today.
HUGS
Char.x

HAPPY Monday...

I adore the way you all cheer me up on Friday...THANK YOU! You SO helped me get over the Friday's Delivery...for those of you who missed it, scroll down to see what the reaction was when I delivered the Pastel Portraits...

Anyways...now I really do know that commissions are not always satisfying,but they bring in the bread...so, I just have to be a little thicker skinned and not really care too much about the reaction...right?!

We've had a busy weekend Mr.R and I...On Saturday we were at Beer Fest in Toronto which was a lot of fun...and I think my favourite was an Apple Pilsner with Vanilla Icecream! YUM...probably a tonne of calories,so you don't want to go overboard with it...but very refreshing on a warm Summer day!

Sunday was spent contacting all our vendors for our Fall Mamas and Chicks Show...which is on October 22nd this year. It'll be fun as it's the week before Halloween so all the kiddos can come in their Halloween outfits!

The above sketches were done last night...the colours aren't right as I didn't have my watercolours out...and just had an itch of an idea to jot down on paper...it's for the book I'm working on...

AND...as you can see, our little Misses got their hair straightened by their Cousin A...it's amazing how their hair is SO much longer when straightened....they ADORE it and keep brushing it.

"can we keep it for going back to school? please Mummy?"

Hmm,that's in 3 weeks time...I don't think so!!!!

I think I may have to invest in a straightener one of these years(not yet) or perhaps it can be a Christmas gift!

We're off to find Back to School gear today...I know we have a while but the weeks are going to creep up on us...I had planned to start waking up our girls at their school wake up hour(6.30am)...their school starts at 7.50am...I KNOW...SO early!

Fortunately I am an early bird...and as long as we have everything ready the night before...we should be fine.

What are you up to today?

Check back tomorrow...I have a Tell ALL Tuesday interview with a local Torontonian.

That's all I'm saying :-)

HUGS

Char.x

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.

up high and down low

birthday gifts nearly finished...

and overdue thank you's...ready to deliver this afternoon.

I was up early this morning finishing these...and doing Laundry.

I'm hoping to win the lottery this evening so I can paint Birthday pictures for ALL you FABULOUS readers...and not have to worry about where I'm getting money for our weekly food shop.

Living from commission to commission can be stressful at times.

I guess I could get a job in the local Grocery Store? or Hardware store?

Just trying to hold off...I know my break is coming soon...I can feel it!

(all of the above said with good humour :-)

Have a lovely weekend.

Oh, I nearly forgot...the National Ballet of Canada Tour was amazing...we weren't allowed to take photos. BUT they were rehearsing for West Side Story...and we got to sit in for 25 minutes and watch their rehearsal! AMAZING...HOW do they jump SO high???

Did you know that each Ballerina only gets about 8 hours reharsal out of each Point Shoe! That's a LOT of shoes they need in a year!

HUGS...and just saying...I really DO appreciate you stopping by...it means so much to read your comments.THANK-ing you all.

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

Thank YOU all 200 of you fabulous readers!

This post is dedicated to all our 200 Fabulous readers.
I'm feeling quite emotional right now and so honoured to have met such great people behind the most wonderful blogs.
It's been a few months of reading passionate writing, viewing the most creative people with amazing ideas.
You keep my confidence high when I have doubts, which pushes me to expand and create when I have so few hours left in the day....and little energy left.
Thank you all...
I will be running another "Original Art" giveaway the week after our Show...it'll be the May 1st Giveaway...so don't forget to check in then too.(it'll be a big one!)
Until then, I will post as much as I can....it may be sparse due to the Trade Show taking priority at the moment.
You're the best!!!!
Charlotte,Ontario

***THURSDAY thankfuls...

**Not to make you all jealous, but look what arrived in my mailbox yesterday evening!**
A package full of goodies from RIKRAK
I won their 2nd anniversary giveaway and got to choose colours for the clutch and wallet and the 2 iron on birds...love them all...my daughters thought it was for them...well, the birds are,but the rest is purely for my joy.
Thanks again RIKRAK...you can visit her awesome RIKRAK Studio Blog where she's always posting new and exciting projects along with some great interviews of other creative beings...
On another note...I would just like to say thank you for all your awesome comments and making visiting your blogs and websites such an inspiring daily journey, and to all our new followers.
AND a big Thanks and appreciation to when my children are well-and not sick...they both have colds which are keeping them(and I) up at night, making my day extremely unproductive.
We moan and groan when things are not great...but forget to comment when all is well.
Have a wonderful SPRING day(I know...but it's almost upon us).
Until later or tomorrow...
Charlotte,Ontario