Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Circle Journal - Last one!

This is the last journal I received last week. It is Anita's and it is about places you have travelled to. I chose Italy as one of my all time favourites and I SO want to go back. In fact one dream (of many) is to winter there each year.

Lots of time to make that come true!





For now, I just remember the great scenery, architecture and history and beautiful people.

And, I enjoy my own piece of the earth on this wonderful sunny spring day.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Hey!

That's what I feel like doin'!

Soaking up some rays.... been beautiful here.

Gotta get outside!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Ottawa Trip













On Sunday Sean and I took a trip to Ottawa. We were going for a concert at 8, but we went up early. It was a gorgeous day especially for April! We even sat on the grass and I took some great shots. It's such a great city, people were out everywhere and we had a good time!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

You know it's Spring in Canada when...

- When Ice fishing huts start disappearing from the lakes

-When Maple tree sport small steel spouts and buckets to tap the sap

-When the Maid of the Mist sets off on her maiden voyage of the year toward the thundering Niagara Falls

-When it's light when you arrive at work, and still light out when you get home


Yay! This is from a magazine article up here. So true. It is finally feeling nice out - I hear birds and even the odd bug. It seems so long. Yesterday was the first day that I didn't have any heat on and today I had the windows open! Love it.


These are 2 items I made that I just put in my ETSY shop yesterday.




They are mixed media pieces made from vintage paper and textures.

I've started drawing again - which is really cool.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

BAck to work!

This weekend I worked on my buddy Michelle's circle journal. I got the pleasure of meeting her at artfest, so this was fun knowing where this was going.

Her journal is an inspiration journal and this was tons of fun! On Sat I got some images that spoke to me and on Sunday Sarah and I actually did Art together! Whoa - if you know Sarah she thinks I am artsy fartsy and has no interest. But she wanted to redo a collage in her room and we sat together and cut and collaged! So much fun.

These are my pages... they just kept coming and coming!


The left side is Andreas.









Hope you like it Michelle!

A token picture of Maggie... sweetie pie.



And then I had to take proof that Sarah was doing something "artsy". Ha!



Being a nut...



This is off Sarah's wrist. She did a 30 hour famine for awareness and to support world hunger. Something I am also passionate about.


Have a good day!

Monday, April 14, 2008

Friday, April 11, 2008

More artfest!

This is going to be the short version, cause I don't want to bore you to tears with details...

On Monday, I went walking down to Pioneer Square and went into the Elliot Bay bookstore. Amazing! Brick walls and wood floors and rooms and rooms of books. I took the underground tour at 11am. which was so cool! It ended in a museum which has lots of neat history and then into an antique store with 60 dealers. Can you say heaven?

I then went up Smith Tower for a view and then on to the Klondike musuem which was very interesting.
I came back to the hostel and met up with Miranda from San jose and had dinner. We then met a girl from Finland who has been traveling by train in the US for a month! Her art journal was amazing. Another girl from Japan came later.

The next morning I went up to the shopping centre and to the Japanese dollar store and fireworks which was a craft art store. I then walked UPHILL to the Frye museum to see the R. Crumb exhibit and then back to meet my roommates from Toronto. We went on a tour and I went to the library to see Jodie Picoult and then to bed.




The next day we took a walk around and got ready for the ferry at 11.




We stopped at a few stores in Bainbridge





and then on to Port Townsend! We checked in and got our bags and bought some goodies too! I went to my dorm












and met Leisl and bought a chicken ceaser salad and ate out on our 2nd floor porch. I loved feeling the warmth. Met Leisl and Kathy for the meeting






and seeing teachers and onto the art asylum which was crazy! I stayed till 930. Went back and met Lisa and Layla and we went and partied downstairs.This was to become a nightly thing - the "afterparty" That night I met Kristie and Nikki and Celeste and Dawn, Jill and Morag. This would only get bigger!

Day one of classes was Demeng for me and altering a plug. Lotsa fun and loved the critique.








That night was a bonfire on the beach and journaling party. Lots of fun! I took some pics of the beach








and some letters and Lilli played violin which was cool! Had a chat with her and we got a ride back with Kathy to the dorm to party on!

Day 2 was Misty and I made a book I have to still work on. I got to sit next to Michelle which was great fun! Day 3 was NInas class and I learnt a lot of new techniques.

We left at 9 on Sunday and went to Seattle for some shopping and dinner by the airport motel. We left Monday at 8 and I am just now catching up on sleep.



Some other random thoughts... nice to see show and tell of everyone - gave me ideas for next year! Having dinner with new friends*inspiring art journals* safeway deli food rocks!* dorm buddies are awesome*the dresses!*ex-boyfriends going postal* 10 miles of bad road* badge and journal from Michelle*Layla's faces* great food* vendor night* more and more!


A truly inspiring experience that I hope will stay with me - in techniques, inspiration and friendships.

Next post - some great people shots!

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Back from Artfest!

Just a quick one today... I arrived in Seattle late last Sun Mar 30 and went right to sleep!

In the morning, I went down to the dock and looked at these white clouds, which I soon figured out to be mountains! So cool.



I stayed right down town at the Green Tortoise hostel which was a gem. I loved it and would go back again.

It was right next to Pike place market and nice sunny days for me to sight see.


This is a blurry shot of Jodie Picoult author of 15 books, one of which my daughter is reading at the moment. I found a copy at the bookstore and had it signed for Sarah. So cool!

I will have lots more to share... just trying to unpack and get organized and thoughts sorted out about the whole experience. I loved it all and had a blast. Great classes, learnt many new techniques and made great friends that I hope to keep in contact with.

More about all that tomorrow and the days to come!