Farewell 2006! Welcome 2007!

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,
But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

~Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Making a List!

WOW! Only a couple more days left of 2006! Like many of my artist friends, I am working on my art goals for 2007. So far, my list looks like this:

-Cut way back on swaps so I can work on things that really excite/inspire me as they come up. (Freeing up my time.)
-Have business cards professionally printed.
-Go to Artfest again so I can refill my creative well.
-Create a portfolio of my work.
-Continue doing design work.

There might be more to it than that, but that's a good start.

Laura was talking about the book she read this year, which got me thinking about which books I really loved. They were:

Gone by Jonathan Kellerman
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
The Last Templar by Raymond Khoury
Blackbird, Still Waters and Show Me the Way by Jennifer Lauck

I also have some movie picks from 2006:

The Prestige (Thriller/Suspense)
Little Miss Sunshine (Comedy/Drama)
The Descent (Horror)

I will be taking a couple days off blogging over the weekend, but I do want to wish everyone a wonderful new year. This New Year's Eve marks the 17th anniversary of my first date with my husband. It boggles the mind to think it has been that long! Ahh...LOVE!

Gifts of Spirit

Hello everyone! I am sure you are all busy making last minute preparations for your holiday celebrations. I spent the morning work on some gifts and while I worked, I got to thinking about the gifts I was given this year. The kinds of gifts I was thinking about were not the type you could put in a box and wrap with a pretty bow, but rather gifts that life bestows on us if we are really lucky.

This year my gifts were those of spirit. I was reminded over and over again how good it feels to give, to know who your real friends are, to know that something you say or do really does make a difference in someone's life, to see someone's growth and celebrate it with them, to share someone's pain and by sharing it, to lighten the burden. 2006 was not particularily kind, but I believe that sometimes the greatest gifts come wrapped in adversity.

I read a quote once that gave me pause. It said "If you didn't get all the things you wanted, be thankful for all the things that you didn't want, that you didn't get." I had never thought about life like that before! I have a game I play with my close friends when something awful befalls one of us called "It Could Be Worse". We sit there and think of all the ways in which whatever has happened could be worse, building it up, making it more and more outrageous so that we end up laughing so hard it hurts. Gallows humour is my secret weapon when it comes to dealing with awful things.

On the flip side, another favourite quote of mine says "Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way." I think that has allowed me to really embrace all the beautiful magic in my life. Blessings swirl all around me, unseen and unbidden, but make their way to me, just the same. That magic makes my life joyous.

As we close out the old year and welcome in the new, my wish is that each of you opens your heart wide to make room for all the magical gifts that life has waiting for you in 2007. May those of you travelling over the holidays have a safe journey.

Be Blessed!

UPDATE!

Here are the latest arrivals for the Breast Friends Collaborative:
Teresa Atkinson
Joan LoCicero
Suze Longley

Tanya Peacock

Shari Schneider

According to my list, I believe I just need mail to arrive from:
Gypsie
Marie Oestreich
Michelle

If you have mailed something and your name is NOT on my list, please email me at tatterededge at shaw dot ca and let me know ASAP! (Otherwise I will go ahead and complete the project once the last three contributions have arrived.)

On the off chance that I disappear for a couple of days, it will be due to another power outtage. We are bracing for yet another major wind storm here on the west coast tonight. Time to batten down the hatches!

Faster than a Speeding Snail...

Just to clarify for everyone participating in the Breast Friends Collaborative, when I have received your contribution, I will email you. In case you are worried though, here are the people I have received from as of this morning:

Amy Huff
Angie Platten
Claudia Roulier
Danielle Muller
Heather Simpson Bluhm
Joan Craft
Joan Ellis
Judy Keefe
Judy Scott
Kelly Snelling
Kristen Robinson
Larinda
Lia Kent
Liz Smith
Peggi Mayer Graminski
Penelope Harris
Shari Beaubien
Tina Shoaga
Zorana

If you have mailed out and it has not arrived yet, please do not panic! There are a number of reasons who it might take longer than you think to get here:

-Canada does not have mail delivery on Saturdays, only Monday-Friday.

-High volume of mail due to Xmas, means slower movement of mail.

-Customs, which always gets stepped up at this time of year.

-We had a HUGE wind storm here on the West Coast on Friday and so there was alot of damage resulting in power outtages. This is likely going to mean some added delay for local mail delivery as everyone recovers.

So relax, make a cuppa hot chocolate and put your feet up. It will get here all in good time! And thank you for taking time out to participate-all the contributions so far have been amazing!

Home Sweet Home

No, I have not dropped off the face of the earth-we had a big wind storm here late Thursday night. At about 3 a.m. on Friday morning, we lost power. Later in the day, I discovered it was because a block from my house, there was a huge tree that had fallen across 4 lanes of a major throughfare and taken out a powerline. The city blocked off the street and it took them 7 hours to get it all cut up and hauled away. It meant our home was cold and dark for 16 hours. We ended up having to go out in search of a place that had power to have dinner and to get warm. By the time we got home around 7:30 p.m., the power was back on and the heat had kicked in. I was so relieved! The roads were a mess yesterday too-driving was...interesting...as most traffic lights were out in my neighbourhood and apparently, people cannot count to FOUR!

I am just glad we didn't have any damage to our home and we were all safe and sound, if just a bit cold and hungry. (Which really, is a timely reminder to be mindful of those that have no roof over their head and no food in their bellies. I have seen several homeless people camped out in doorwells in the crazy weather we have been having. PLEASE GIVE if you can to the charities in your own community that ensure that these people are not forgotten. Give money, give food, give warm clothes-do what you can with what you have. Every little bit helps!)

On a happy note, when I came home, there was a big box waiting on my doorstep from a certain someone I adore in Cody! We were able to connect by phone last night so Deb could hear me opening my gifts. This GORGEOUS handmade hooked rug was one of my gifts. It's just beautiful. Deb knows I have a fondness for textiles and especially folk art. The shaker house is just precious and one of my favourite images. The colours are delicious and it's such a beautiful piece. I am going to hang it in the livingroom. (If I can stop petting it!) I am *so* spoiled! THANK YOU Deb, I loved everything and most of all, you know I love you to bits! xox I took a class at ArtFIBREfest in June with the very talented Mary Stanley to learn how to do this traditional art form and so my appreciate for the work that goes into it has grown. I still need to finish my piece from her class, but with my hand so bad right now, I can't!

The 12 Days of Xmas blog has been updated, so go take a peek at days 3 & 4! We are having so much fun!

If you haven't hear it, I recommend Bruce Cockburn's Christmas. I love his music and he's Canadian. The CD is very relaxing and the sound is different from the same old, same old!

One The First Day of Xmas...

HEY! Wanna know what's in these? Check out the 12 Days of Xmas blog! We'll be sharing a new set of gifts for each group, each day from now till December 25th!

Enjoy!

Why Am I Weird?!?

Deb Lewis & Liz Smith both tagged me so I guess I had better 'fess up! Here's why I am weird:

1. I was on a crisis line for 8 years. My favourite calls were the suicide calls. When I was in training, people would go on and on about how scared they were to think they were going to have to take these calls. (Which really only amount to 4% of all calls received-the rest are divided up into things like addiction, abuse, relationship issues, mental health (the biggest piece of the pie), financial problems, Information & referral, etc.) I never ever felt this way. I was never scared while talking to someone who was having suicidal thoughts or was in progress. I just felt that it was the type of call where I had the chance to really employ my best skills. I loved the work.

which leads to...

2. I simply cannot abide suffering. I feel things very deeply and if someone is hurting, I feel compelled to do something about it.

3. I do not like wet feet. If I am out and about and my feet get wet, I am DONE! Nothing makes me miserable faster than my socks squishing.

4. I am deathly allergic to yoghurt, but not to any other dairy.

5. I am extremely intuitive and I live my life that way.

6. I have a memory like a steel trap for music, lyrics and weird trivia. My husband and son call me the queen of useless information.

I don't think I am all that weird...

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas!

On Saturday we went tree shopping and got our Xmas tree. I haven't bought a tree in 13 years because usually we go away for the holidays and I like my home to still be standing when I get back. It was fun though and my son did the decorating. The house smells so good.

The little tinsel tree was made by a friend from the crisis line. One night I came in and she was making them between calls. I asked her if I could buy one for my Gramps and she said no but she would give me one, which was very sweet of her. It's made from some coat hangers, a green tinsel garland and a string of mini Xmas lights. I don't think the whole thing costs more than $6. My Gramps loved this tree and I now have it lit each night during the holidays in his memory.
The red tree-like thing with the drawers was a gift a few days ago from Lisa. It's a Starbuck's advent calender tree and each drawer has a chocolate inside. They are yummy and next year I will fill the drawers with other candies. Lisa had one last year but they sold out so quickly I couldn't find one. This year she made sure she bought two and gifted me with one. THANKS LISA!! xo

Last, but not least, is my star garland. I bought this at Ikea two years ago and I really like it. I am not heavily "into" Xmas, but it's shaping up nicely around here!

Just a reminder that tomorrow is the beginning of the opening of presents for the 12 days of Xmas swap. If you want to see the gifts unveiled one by one, pop on over (the link is on the sidebar here) and take a peek! I think this is going to be such a wonderful way to lead up to Xmas. My fingers are getting itchy to tear into the paper!!

Counting My Blessings

My pal Deb wrote about some of her nearest and dearest friends today. She put a challenge out to tell your friends and what they bring to your life, so here goes!

First of all, this photo is of my oldest friend at one of my childhood birthday parties. I am the one on the extreme right in yellow (I think this is the only time in my life where I wore yellow and got away with it-YUCK!) and Farrell is the one in the center with the cup in her hand. I have known Farrell since kindergarten and by a strange twist of fate 4 years ago I reconnected with her when I "found" her online. A bit of detective work and a couple emails later and we discovered we were both living out west. We got together and it's as if nothing had ever changed. Farrell is a hoot and exactly as I remember her growing up. My family adores her and it's so good to have someone in my life as a grown up to whom I don't have to explain my past. She knows and because she knows, we have this sort of cultural/old friend shorthand between us.

It's interesting when I start thinking about the people in what I call my "sacred circle" (Friends with whom I share a deep and meaningful relationship with.) and what they bring to my life.

There's Lisa, who I met while working on the crisis line. Apparently neither one of us liked each other the first few times we met. Lisa was shy and I thought she was just being standoffish. She thought I was totally intimidating because I was so friendly. It's funny how we were such polar opposits and yet we are so close now. Lisa is the kind of friend I can call at 4 a.m. if I need to and because she has all that wonderful crisis line training, she knows how to listen effectively! We often find ourselves laughing ourselves sick over things that are not funny. I love that she shares my gallows humour.

There is Allison who used to be my neighbour and became my friend. We have travelled together, having all sorts of adventures. There's nothing like road trips to bond you to your girlfriends. Allison is a ball of energy.

There's Penn who I consider to be my art partner in crime. We seem to have this synergy when it comes to artistic ideas and it proves the theory that two heads are better than one. Penn is well read and thoughtful and it's always interesting talking with her.

There's Sandy who I met online but lives nearby who also does artsy things with me. I just really enjoy her company and we go on art supply shopping sprees together. I like that Sandy is direct and no nonsense. She's a straight shooter.

There are Alyx and Kelly, Nikki and Jessica, friends I met through Lisa who are just lovely people. Alyx is a brilliant sci-fi writer who tells it like it is and cracks me up. She is the queen of macro photography and keeps me supplied with eyecandy. Kelly is pure sunshine. She has the best smile and when she hugs you, she hugs you with her whole heart. Nikki is down to earth and friendly and hanging out with her is always a good time. I love that she loves music. Jessica has a poet's soul and a beautiful imagination. All these women are intelligent, strong women and I really admire that about them.

And then there are a whole host of friends that would take quite some time to talk about (and likely more than you would be willing to read) who touch my life in innumerable ways through the miracle of the internet. My closest online friend though is Deb, who started this whole post. Deb and I met when she emailed me one day, asking if I would like to trade links. It seems like ages ago now, because it feels like we have always been friends. What I love about Deb is her generous spirit, her soft accent, her kindness, her obvious talent and the comraderie we share as mothers of only-child, teenaged boys. (Lord love 'em!) Deb has a heart as big as all outdoors and you feel her passion for life when you talk to her.

Yes, I am blessed. I have very special friends whom I love fiercely and I am grateful for all the goodness and light they bring to my life on a daily basis. My life would not be the same without them.

So tell me, who is in your sacred circle?

Spreading the Joy!

Remember these darling little gems that I received about a week ago as a gift from Kristen Robinson? Well Kristen has set up an Etsy shop so now you can have some of her magic for your very own. Her work is so delicate and beautiful. Please go check it out for yourself! It's only a click away!

In other news, pages for the Breast Friends Collaborative are rolling in. Lots of people have been saying they would like to see the whole thing when it's done. Rest assured, I have been scanning each piece as they arrive and will be sharing them on my Flickr (linked conveniently on the sidebar!) after the book is complete and in the hands of its rightful owner. (I think it's only right that she gets to see it all first, don't you?)

Also, we are in the final days of waiting (or is that torture?) for the opening of the very first gift in the 12 Days of Xmas swap. Keep your eyes on the blog (also linked conveniently on the sidebar!) to see what goodies are gifted each day. We begin opening gifts on December 13th! FIVE more days!!

New Designs!

FINALLY! I received an email this morning from Shari asking where my blog had disappeared to! I had no idea Blogger was misbehaving, but I sent them an email and within 5 minutes, here it is again! The squeeky wheel gets the oil!

I have been working hard doing design work for Paper Artsy the last couple of days and experimenting with some new materials.

The first pic is of a collage I did (Paper Artsy stamps with Cosmo Cricket paper-it's a good marriage, doncha think?) and the second is a see-through envelope I created. We have this tradition in our family that everone has an envelope on the tree, nestled in the branches. It's the last thing to be opened and contains money or lotto tickets or both. I thought it would be fun to have envelopes you could see through. You could also put gift certificates in them. I am pleased with how they came out.


In case you haven't peeked at Paper Artsy's website lately, they have a new line of rubber called Urban Snapshots
by Julie Harrington. I have some new plates on the way to my house and I can't wait to work with them!

Also, in case you missed it in a previous post, Paper Artsy has a new blog! I expect to see great things there!

Thanks to everyone who has been asking about my hand-it's improving with the help of some hardcore anti-inflammatory medication. Believe me, when you work with your hands and then suddenly you can't, it's pretty disconcerting! I am just glad it's something they could fix. I can handle going deaf, but if I lose my hands, I'm sunk!

Sew Simple

This is a pressie I sent to Joanna. It's a masectomy pillow. The idea is to tuck the cleavage of the heart under your arm to take the weight and pressure of your arm off the inscision. I used this wonderful dimpled chenille. It's so soft I couldn't quit petting it while I was sewing it. Anyway, it arrived at Joanna's finally and I hope it will bring her lots of comfort and healing. If you know someone who needs one, they really are simple to make.

Here's how:
1. Cut a large paper template of a heart out.
2.Fold your fabric right sides together and pin your template securely on top.
3.Using your sewing machine, stitch around the edge of the template, leaving a 4 inch opening on one of the straight sides.
4. Remove the template and trim the fabric to within a 1/4 of your sewing line. Clip the curves.
5. Turn right side out and stuff firmly with fibrefill. (You can add a little prayer for healing, written on fabric with a pigma pen to the stuffing at this point if you like!)
6. Hand sew the opening shut.

EDIT: For those of you who wanted to know how big I made the heart, I used a 15 inch square of paper and cut the heart from that. I folded the paper in half and drew 1/2 the heart, then cut it out on that line to make it symetrical. I used the heavy brown parcel paper you get on a roll to make the template.

For those of you who have already mailed off your contributions for the Breast Friends Collaborative, THANK YOU!! If you haven't mailed yours yet, please do so ASAP so I can get the everything put together before the month's end. THANKS!!

Fresh From the Studio!

There are LOTS of new goodies in the Tattered Edge Mercantile! Please feel free to take a peek!

On another note, Leandra, owner of Paper Artsy, has just launched a brand new blog! I just discovered it this evening and had the delightful surprise that she launched it by sharing a piece of design work I did for her! What a lovely surprise! THANK YOU Leandra, and welcome to blogland!

Hope everyone had a good weekend. We are still working on thawing out here in BC.

**Anyone participating in the Breast Friends Collaborative, please be sure and get your pages in the mail tomorrow (Dec. 4th). If you need my address, please email me at: tatterededge at shaw dot ca
THANKS!**

Mixed Media in Middle School

Yesterday I spent the day at Banting Middle School as the Guest Artist teaching the kids in Mrs. Geissler's and Ms. Knowles' class Altered Mirrors. There were about 56 kids (Grades 6 & 7)
and it was alot of fun! The kids came up with some really colourful and creative ways to alter their mirrors and everyone did a wonderful job as you can see.

One thing I really love about teaching kids is that they do art with such abandon. They just happily follow their muses and there's not alot of "I can't do it" or "Mine isn't good enough". That said, one young lady brought me her mirror when she was finished and said "Is this okay?" and I said "Are YOU happy with it?" "Yes!" "Well then, that's all that matters!" She walked away with a big grin on her face.

I think it's so important for art not to be seen as a competition, but as something unique to the artist. Everyone has something beautiful in their soul to express and who are any of us to say that anyone's expression of that is lacking in any way? I think art programs are so valuable. It's often the first thing to be cut when the budget crunches come (as they always do) but it's such a great way to build up kids' self esteem. It feeds their souls. I could see by the care and attention they gave their projects that they were getting great satisfaction from what they were doing. I know come Christmas morning when they give their mirrors to whomever they made them for, they are going to be so proud of themselves. That's priceless.

Thanks kids for making yesterday a great day. You can all be very proud of the work you have done and it was a pleasure to spend time with you. Thank you for having me! See you in the Spring!