Wordless Wednesday

A Deer, a Fox and a Squirrel.

Working on these....
Have a great Thursday.
HUGS
Char.x

will they...won't they???

please apples...help me out...we're going for Dinner on Saturday...and I'm making this Guacamole Bruschetta...

I bought the avacados yesterday...and NOW I need them to ripen.
will they...won't they?


do you have any tips other than placing apples in the same bowl??


Have a great weekend,
HUGS
Char.x


BTW...Miss A got a bad stitch during the race and came in 65th out of 300 runners. she had a blast and wasn't worried about the placing.(oh to be young again!)

fishy...

Hey, this morning I woke up to find the bag of shells which Miss J had found in Port Clinton,OH, to be broken into on the deck outside...I wonder if they smelt fishy?
Some animal had thought so I'm sure...
I do know the girls skin smelt fishy coming out of that Lake...which kind of grosses me out!


Anyway...we founds a great array of shells and sea glass too! TREASURES...that's what we call them.


Have you found any treasures recently?


Have a lovely day.
Char.x

CARS...finished.

HAPPY DAYS!
I finished it the other night and it's being delivered this evening...but I doubt the client will check our blog...so here you are...from start to finish.
It was a challenge...but a good one.
I always enjoy a new project.


We're relaxing at home today...corn roast at the local Farmers Market, bike rides...laundry and cleaning the house a little...perhaps we should call it a movie night this evening...we'll see...I usually fall asleep on the sofa half way through.


Have a great weekend...what are you up to?


hugs
Char.x

scrumptious soaps...

 Good Friday everyone...can you believe we're almost into August? I am having a difficult time realizing that I just taught 4 weeks of ART Camp...and survived it ...lol...

Everyone keeps asking...will you do it again next year? YES...definitely...the progress of the kids from the start of the week to the end is remarkable!

I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching them new techniques and trying to train their eyes to see a little differently...whether they apply their skills to everyday life...or in their Art Classes at school...that's a different matter and entirely up to them...BUT...I have enjoyed it, and I know they have too.

So...the 4th week is on it's last day...and I will be back for 3 more weeks after a 2 week vacation from Camp. I'm certain our girls will enjoy the break...although they'll miss the company of others everyday.

Can you smell what's in the package? It arrived 2 days ago...and smells SO good...come and see...

 Mmmm, delicious handmade soaps by Tara Patey who owns the new line "On a Branch Soaps"...they are raw,scrumptious,packaged so beautifully and yes...that was the custom stamp I made for her back in MARCH...you can see the beginning of the process HERE...and HERE.

 The sizes of the soaps are wonderful and feel so natural....I love how the ingredients are printed on the back of each label!

 I can't wait to try the Lavender Oatmeal Soap...doesn't it sound perfect! I'm going to think about Christmas gifts and birthdays for the rest of the year too...

Thank YOU Tara...I have enjoyed seeing your journey into creating your amazing Soap Kitchen "On a Branch Soaps" and I am hoping you'll be able to see your delights at our Fall Mamas and Chicks Show!

PLEASE go and say hello to Tara! (HERE)

We're off to visit friends in Muskoka this weekend...

what are you up to?

HUGS and have a great weekend!

Char.x

ballet feet?

 Yes...the girls put on their pretty Birthday dresses from Mormor and Morfar and off we went to Toronto to see "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"...which the National Ballet of Canada put on at the Four Seasons Centre.

First though we HAD to pass by the Disney store as we lost the one which was only 20 minutes away...and the girls always look forward to seeing what's there...I think it brings back memories of our Disney Trip last year.

WOW...it was an absolutely STUNNING production. SO colourful,  the costumes were beautiful and the dancers incredible.

CONGRATULATIONS to all the dancers from the National Ballet of Canada and thanks to the Royal Ballet for giving Toronto the rights to re-produce their Alice in Wonderland Ballet which was just in London months ago.

Christopher Wheeldon Choreographed an amazing Ballet!

Our favourite part had to be the Cheshire cat...stunning. These dancers are not only amazing at dancing but acting too...
BRAVISSIMA!

ok...now back to reality...painting the studio again...I made a mistake and put MATT paint on the walls and should have put eggshell.
Oh well.
The floors are going down this evening...so I'll be back soon with photos!

These next couple of weeks will be a little busy and so I will be taking a blogging break...but keeping you up to date on the progress of the studio.

Thanks for stopping by...and IF you have the opportunity to go and see ALice...it's on until the 25th June...GO!!! You will NOT be disappointed!!!

HUGS
Char.x

ART 4 YOU **GIVEAWAY**- custom portrait...

HAPPY Monday!

I'm feeling GOOD today, and I want to celebrate the fact by creating something special for one lucky reader...so...

**THE WINNER** (who will be picked by random) will receive the choice of either a family portrait "A Mother's Load" of you and up to 4 children...(if you have more we can chat)

OR a portrait of your pet...

Above are examples of finished portraits which I have made for friends and family...

ALL you have to do...is vote on our recent banners...and tell us why the one you picked is your favourite.

a.

b.

c.

YOU can earn upto 4 entries by:

1. voting (you must be a FABULOUS reader of our blog to enter)
2. posting about our Giveaway on your blog
3. chatting about it on Facebook
4. or Tweeting about it

Make sure each if your entries are individual comments...and that you include the link back from your posts.

GOOD LUCK...the contest will run until Friday morning at 8am.

I'm painting today...cleaning...baking and planning...
What do you have planned?

-18 degree HUGS
Char.x

changes made...

HAPPY SUNDAY everyone!
Have you had a good weekend?
Tam mailed me with this print(text),I really like it!
...I am still working on the ladies...we have agreed...a little colour would be LOVELY...

Until tomorrow...and the GIVEAWAY...make sure to check back.
HUGS
Char.x

calm on the Farm...

 it's THURSDAY already...I still haven't posted that list I promised I would...but as you can see...my hands have been busy.

growing up on a farm is really very special...an endless space to play for children and this time when we went back to see family, I really noticed the freedom and calm space brings to children.

So,this is definitely something which has been added to my 2011 list...connect with Nature on a regular bases.

How do you connect with Nature if you live in a City?

I'd love to hear about your nature outings or crafts which involve you with Nature.

Have a lovely day...we're off to the Library...

HUGS

Char.x

MY ETSY SHOP : now open again - special New Year SALE.

Monday's madness...

hello November...hello Monday...hello readers...hello fabulous friends...

both girls are home sick today after telling me that "we feel fine!" last night to go out Trick or Treating!!!

Miss A spiked a fever last night of 101 and still has it...I shouldn't have taken them out. It was freezing cold...I wrapped them up in winter gear...but they still got over excited at the prospects of all that candy!
Miss J is coughing up a lung...

I went out last night at 10.30pm to pick up Homeopathic meds for both them and myself....as well as a bottle of Aloe and honey...
The first thing they asked for this morning was "can we have treats?"..."NO...not until you're better"...I tried to explain how sugar actually isn't very good for your body...especially when you're sick. (not sure they understood...little J was pretty gutted!)

I hope the Healthy Angel visits our house sometime today...as we really need her to make things better today.

I have 3 Once Upon a Time watercolours to finish today...what's being painted?
A Hedgehog, Bear and Winnie the Pooh...lets see if I get ANYTHING done today other than care for my sweet ladies...

Hope you're well.
HUGS
Char.x

In my DREAMS...

...I'll take you on a trip around the World...

 Fisrt we'll go to Barcelona...to enjoy the tapas bars and visit the Cathedral.

 Next we'll climb the pyramids...one step at a time...

 After we'll enjoy gay Paris, in all it's glory and see the City from the Eiffel Tower...

 Then we'll travel south to Roma...and visit the Colloseo...

 To London we'll head to visit the Queen...and have tea with my Mum, Dad, Sister,and Bro..

 Off next to Russia...have you ever been?

 New York...New York...we'll dine and see a Show.

And back home to Toronto...

Where would you like to go?

I was up until 3am last night finishing this commission...when the website is finished and my work is up...I'll send you the link of this wonderful and exciting new Company.

Have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN...I am looking after Miss A today who has a fever and an awful cough...poor little one, and she was SO excited about tonight... :-(

looking forward to seeing all your Halloween pics...ours will be up tomorrow...until then...
HUGS
Char.x

WORDLESS Wednesday...guess how I'm feeling today!

hugs
Char.x

Lazy Sunday's...are the best!

This was our sky this morning at our local park...I can't really comprehend the red leaves yet...it's WAY too soon for Fall to be upon us...right? BUT it did make for an incredible photo *smile*
We've been enjoying a lazy weekend.
Mr.R went Scuba diving...it was quite the drive,we were up and out of our house with the girls by 5am to be at the Dive site by 9am(we hung out at the local Town-had Breakfast and went to local parks)...another hour and we could have enjoyed the weekend in Montreal.(maybe I'll plan better next year!!!)
There's always so much going on in Montreal. Lots of street Markets...and the TAM TAM is happening today up at Mount Royal...the link shows you a little movie to what it's all about.
You can find Cara Carmina there selling her wares...she makes beautiful dolls and cards.

I've been making my lists for the week ahead.(it's aLONG list...won't bore you all)

We have just one more week until school starts...
DO ANY of you have a little one starting school for the first time this year?
I think we have prepped little miss J enough...but I'm not 100% sure.
I asked her at the park if she'll be ok...and said "you won't miss Mummy too much...right J?"
Her reply was " Mummy, I won't be THAT far away from you!!!"
So...I'm hoping this is a good sign and she seems excited.

I have some sketches to show you from our day trip yesterday...Mr.R took the camera 65ft under and has it packed away right now...later I'll show you...told you it was a Lazy Sunday...

HUGS...and cups of Tea.
Char.x

Friday EARLY morning FINDS...

I woke up with Mr.R this morning(5.30am)...my head spinning with projects I would like to get completed (this was before getting dressed and having my clothing comfort issue-see post below)...so to clear my head...I went Aaahhh-BROWSING down my very long list of wonderful fabulous blogs I follow...and I always seem to find a couple more...FABULOUS blogs to "Ooooo & AAAHHHH" about.

This morning I found THE SEVENTY TREE a blog with a wealth of design and style and beautiful collages in their Etsy Shop.
                                               

AND before that I came across ROBIN and MOULD
both new to my eyes...and both filled with beauty and eye candy.
Look at how adorable their OWL toy is...their print work and usage of colour is just delicious All can be found in their Esty Shop too!



Leave me and all our readers in the comments below YOUR link to a new blog you have found this week...it'll be fun to add new links to my very long (but much looked at) list!

HUGS and have a great FRIDAY.
Char.x

Colour comforts...

every time I enter my wardrobe...I say to myself  "today I am going to choose another colour shirt,top,sweater...I have to step out of my comfort zone" and this year I have tried to a little more....I have bought bright pinks and light pinks, greens....BUT...I always go back to the navys and the greys.

So...as you can see from the above photo...I didn't step out this morning...I tried, I really did...I put on a top my Mum had given me a couple of years ago as a gift...I think I have worn it twice. Everytime I wear it, people comment on it and say it looks pretty....BUT every time I look in the mirror when I have it on...I feel washed out. It's a brown and pink, almost a burnt skin colour(if you can imagine that :-).

SO...I took it off. Found some blue, and more blue...and the scarf(summer scarf) Mum knitted for me which is perfect for these end of Summer mornings.

I am sorry to say...I am all about feeling comfortable, in my own skin and in the clothes I wear...

Do you have a Colour which Comforts you?

HUGS

Char.x

4 MORE hours to ENTER.

Happy Monday everyone...
You only have 4 more hours to enter my AUGUST giveaway...
Go HERE if you haven't entered...
HUGS and GOOD LUCK....will be back with the Winner just after 8pm tonight!

Char.x.

can you imagine?

a day without light...a night without the Moon?

I'm getting really excited about this book Shelly and I are working on together...

these sketches just finished minutes ago whilst listening to our girls babble and make believe in their imaginary World...
I can't really say too much about our work together ... but it will definitely be an eye opener and a thought provoker.
Have a great evening...to EACH and every one of you *SMILE* we have light! (for now)

HUGS
Char.x