LOVE at first sight...

I did it! YAY...see, I work and meet my deadlines...when I love doing what I'm doing...as do we all.

These are my fave pair of boots...great with Jeans,skirts...love them.

I'm not sure if I did them justice, but they'll always be a great memory...

I bought them on a whim when I was in Toronto shopping with a girlfriend...BK (before Kids) and we walked past this very small shop with hardly any clothes...you know it's all designer when there are NO clothes hanging from the rails...

Anyway, we went in...and these boots imediately caught my eye...it was LOVE at first sight!

So...I bought them...and each Season I wonder whether they're too bright to wear...then I put them on...and feel GREAT, and remember...it's not always about what people think.

Thanks for passing by...I'll be back tomorrow with the results from BRIGHT & BLITHE...see if I won...you still have a couple of hours to vote for my story...if you haven't(*smile*) ...mine is #1...it was a wonderful challenge and I really haven't got much talent when it comes to writing...so...I was stepping out of the box on this one.

Have you stepped out of the BOX lately?

Until tomorrow...

Char,ON

P.S. the boots will be in my store tomorrow...off to sleep. Ciao.

colourful thoughts...

this was my lunch and dinner today...soup...and I'll be having more of these this week...
Look at all the AMAZING colours and they're ALL from nature...they forever amaze me.

It's nearly 11pm...I have an hour to do my Shoe sketch for Haiti today...I know I am REALLY behind...C'est La Vie...
If you're still awake, I'll be posting it within the hour.

Thanks for passing by, and I appreciate your vote for me! It means a lot!

Char,ON

sweet strappy sandals...

don't you just wish it was Summer some days? Yeah...me too.
Today my goals were not met(by me)...I'll wake up early and finish "P" ...

The next 3 days you'll be seeing RED (shoes and boots)...
I WILL pass by and say hi to you on your blog tomorrow...promise. This week is speeding by again....Aaaahhhhh...time slow down!

Going to close my lids for 5 hours... A DOMANI...

Char,ON
p.s. due to the heaviness of my lids...I will be posting new shoes tomorrow on ETSY...thanks for understanding.

H is for Heels...

maybe I should wear these around the house more? (apart from on the hardwood floors)...
Do you do this ever?
I think it would make me feel more feminine...you know...like a woman who has sex apeal...walking around in jeans and uggs all day really grounds you...but it's hard to feel uncomfortable in heels again...
Perhaps I can incorporate this into February...seeing as it IS the month of LOVE.
I have some red shoes and boots to show you in the next few days...getting started on that VALENTINE's theme...
WHAT are you doing for your partner on Valentines or secret future lover?

I'll be posting these on my Etsy store...remember there's FREE shipping in both stores for the whole month...and on THE day of LOVE...I'll be posting a VERY special offer...for ALL of you FABULOUS readers.

Until tomorrow's ANIMAL ABC...
Ciao
Char,ON

Scandinavian STYLE...

these are a little bit of me...who I am...raised by 2 incredible people,my Mum...born in Sweden and my Dad who was born in Danemark.

As soon as we could walk...we were in clogs...they were our outdoor shoes...easy to slide on and off...I guess it helped my parents always know where we were too, they're kind of loud.

I went through a period in my Life not really knowing who I was...my parents were Scandinavian...I was brought up in England...with traditions so foreign to all my friends.

I loved our traditions...so by the time I was 16...I was Danish...to anyone who asked. We spent Summers there since we were small...I adored my Grandparents...the food they cooked...the parks they took us too....the neighbourhoods felt SO right in Danemark. The people SO friendly.The language so natural. A proud Scandinavian...

It felt good to have this upbringing...and I hope our daughters will feel SOME of what I learnt from my Scandi roots....the food, the traditions...our values towards many situations. More than ever I find myself explaining things to our 5 year old. Stopping her in her path...battles which I hope she'll appreciate when she's older.

Some days as a Mum, staying at home, can be tough and challenging...but I wouldn't change it for the World and I am SO very blessed to be fortunate enough to raise our kids and be home with them.

When my parents were last in Danemark, I asked them to pick up a pair of Sanita's for me...I love them...they're a little noisy when walking around our quiet naighbourhood...who cares though? Not me ...

So...my 20 minute sketch...which I wanted to try to keep that "free" feel to them...because the years when I wore clogs the most were in my early 20's...and I felt free and travelled like a bird...good memories!

Do you have certain Shoes which bring back memories?

Have a good evening...sleep...day...

It's been a productive one.

Char,On

A reminder: ALL items in both my Esty stores will be shipped FREE of charge, Free Shipping runs for the whole moth of FEB. (fabulous FEB)

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.

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

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

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