Friday, December 31, 2010

Year of the Rabbit

Welcome 2011, the Year of the Rabbit. I am a rabbit, wonder what it means to be the same animal as the year? I made an etsy treasury in honour of the New Year.

1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999

People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract.

______Update - Leely reminded me last night that the Year of the Rabbit doesn't start until Chinese New Year which was not last night. I'll make another Year of the Rabbit treasury when the Year of the Rabbit actually starts.________

Goodbye 2010 - Hello 2011

It's New Years Eve and it's been a good day so far. I had a nap this morning, a long deep nap. Then I was woken up by the doorbell, it was the mail man with my melamine plate samples and they are gorgeous! The size, colour, printing, just perfect. Right after I opened my package I checked my email and found out that I sold another item in my Etsy store. Yehaa. I am hoping this is a sign of what 2011 will bring.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

TEDx Talk


Dr. Brené Brown is a researcher professor at the University of Houston, Graduate College of Social Work, where she has spent the past ten years studying a concept that she calls Wholeheartedness, posing the questions: How do we engage in our lives from a place of authenticity and worthiness? How do we cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection that we need to embrace our imperfections and to recognize that we are enough -- that we are worthy of love, belonging and joy? Brené is the author of I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn't): Telling the Truth About Perfectionism, Inadequacy, and Power (2007) and the forthcoming books, The Gifts of Imperfection (2010) and Wholehearted: Spiritual Adventures in Falling Apart, Growing Up, and Finding Joy ( 2011).

About TEDx, x = independently organized event

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Peppermint and Pretzel Sticks

Tomorrow Julia and I will attempt to make these as gifts. I think this will be the perfect project for a 4 yr old. I went to Bulk Barn today and stocked up on pretzels, chocolate and sprinkles.



Saturday, December 18, 2010

Orla Kiely Diaper Bag

While shopping at Southgate today (trying to decide what to spend my winnings on) I saw a woman with an Orla Kiely Diaper Bag. I just pointed to it and screamed "LOVE". Good thing she didn't think I was crazy, as she obviously knows how great her bag is and was more than happy to show it off. Dreamy....

Thursday, December 16, 2010

I WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just won a $2000 shopping spree to Southgate Centre!!!! How exciting! I won it from 95.7 The Sound, my new favorite radio station:)

Lois, this was just like the time we won that huge gift basket from Holts. I was in Southgate this morning and saw 95.7 The Sound with a booth and a little sign that said "Win a $1000 shopping spree" so of course I entered. They told me they would be calling the winner at 6pm and if the caller knew their tagline "Good music is good music" they would win a $2000 shopping spree. I said 6pm worked for me, I'd be home feeding my children. Then at about 5:50 PM I was about to put my kids in the bath but then remembered I was going to get that winning call at 6PM, so I waited.   My phone rang at 6PM, I answered and said "Good music is good music" and the rest is history!!!

Funny side note - I had never heard of this radio station before, but it actually plays decent music, playing Dog Days are Over right now.

Oh, and now I can go buy that arc lamp I saw this morning :)


Arch lamp

As I was dashing through the Bay today (trying to finish up my Christmas shopping), I spotted an arc lamp in the distance. Ran over and was pleasantly surprised to see it was nice quality and a nice price $200! The Bay has good sales, so I'll keep my eyes open over the holidays to see if it goes on sale. While doing a bit of research online I came across this Apartment Therapy post that compares arc lamps under $300.

New items

I've actually had some time to do a bit of printing. Hopefully when I am done I'll have Christmas presents and a few new items for my shop.






Free Holiday Gift Tags!

Thanks Helen Dardik for designing and posting these beautiful gift tags! Go to her blog to download your free copy.


Love!

This designer, Karolin Schnoor was just featured on the Print and Pattern blog. I went straight to her etsy shop and bought 2 cards! Love.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Pill

I found these gems in my inbox, Jonathan Adler sent them to me directly! (Actually I just belong to his mass email list). Anyway, love these and would ask for one for Christmas if only the shipping from the US didn't cost more than the product itself. Oh J.A. please figure out a better shipping method to Canada...



Fish and an Owl

I am working on a few other designs using the basic leaf shape seeing if I can make other designs out of it.





Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Feelgood List

I was so excited what I saw this list by Up Up Creative on Etsy, it's a customizable check list for things to do in a week. Love it! What a great way to start out 2011. I'll post photos of mine once I get it.

First Sale

I made my first sale this weekend on Etsy! I sold a set of red napkins. It was fun to wrap up (but not mail, the post office trip went from bad to worse with 2 kids in tow).

Friday, December 10, 2010

My Treasuries

Two treasuries I created, one about Cowgirls and the other New Years 1988. No idea why these themes came into my head, they just did. The Polar Bear theme was inspired by Boreal Modern's gorgeous felt pillow!




New Treasuries

I have been busy and my shop has been quiet. Here are a few new treasuries I've been featured in.



Monday, December 6, 2010

Pugs not Drugs

Came across this bag today, it brings a smile to my face!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Blog Feature

Life has been busy, sick kids, volunteering and snow!! Enough to slow anyone down. I listed a new family tree today and it's already been featured in a blog about Creative Family Trees.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Secret Santa

I had to lovely surprises in my mailbox today. #1 the December issue of Martha Stewart Magazine and #2 my Secret Santa gift from an Etsy Alberta teammate. I received this lovely hand made bag from Handmade Therapy. I love it so much! It also came with a card from Crafted by Lindy, what a lucky day.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Under Water

My blue family tree is featured in this lovely treasury!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

New Treasuries

Here are two new treasuries featuring my orange napkins.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Print and Pattern Feature!

I am very very excited this morning. I just found out I was featured on my favourite blog, Print and Pattern. I can't believe it. Ben woke up yesterday at 4:30am so my normal routine of checking the Print and Pattern blog every morning was missed. I didn't see it until this morning. Oh happy day! See more here.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Chocolate

My wood grain napkins are featured in their first treasury!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

A walk in the forest

I find creating treasuries a great way to clear my mind before bed. Here is one all about the forest.

Friday, November 5, 2010

A calendar for everyone

Modern Rain

I made this treasury today, don't know why I had an urge to make a treasury about rain, but here it is!

New Listing!

Finally I have been able to list my smaller family tree. This tree comes completely finished and shows just one family with parents and children. I've been searching high and low for the perfect background fabric and finally found it. I've screened the wood grain pattern in white.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Preloved for eBay

Preloved is a Canadian company that uses reclaimed wool sweaters and makes them into beautiful modern clothes. They have teamed up with eBay for a special promotion.

Linocut Tutorial

Another easy tutorial, how to create a linocut card or invitation, from apartment therapy,

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Repeat Pattern Tutorial

Check this tutorial out and learn how to make a hand drawn detailed repeat pattern by Julia Rothman.


Here is a recent interview with Julia Rothman.

They all fall down

A nice fall treasury featuring my vintage orange linen napkins. Thank goodness it's still fall here, actually a beautiful fall day. Why am I inside on my computer??

Feature

Today I am featured on the Alberta Street Team blog. Follow the link to learn a bit more about me and my designs.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Grey Green

My golden napkins are featured in a new treasury.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

New Family Trees

I have been experimenting with new felt colours, ink colours, frame sizes and of course my Dymo. Here are a few photos of my results. Unfortunely the grey on blue birds don't photograph very well. I'll be taking better shots once I am ready to post them on Etsy.