Friday

Okay so this is a completely random photo I took, but doesn't nature provide the most beautiful symmetry? This was taken at one of the gardens at Stanley Park.

So much going on here in the next few days. We are having a BBQ (Oh pardon me, a "cook-out"!) on Monday. My son is about to go back to school for his final year and Indy starts obiedience classes on Tuesday and I am in the middle of wrapping up a couple of projects I've been working on, writing an article and booking classes for the fall. Farewell summer vacation!

It's been alot cooler here the past week. We've had rain and I actually had to turn the heat on yesterday to take the chill out of the house. I am pretty happy about it being cooler-I hate the heat-I don't cope with it well and never have. I am more than ready for Autumn.

I am watching my mailbox like a hawk-Kelly Rae's new book, Taking Flight is on its way. I pre-ordered my copy so it comes with some extra goodies. I can't wait to see it! I am sure it's going to be fantastic!

Have a good long weekend everyone!

Many, Many Moos!

I've been busy sorting and packaging up MOOS for the exchange I am hosting. These are some that I have added to my collection. From L to R: Kim Logan,Laura Goodnaugh Jones, Maija Lepore, Yvonne Kirk, Lisa Ryder, Jamie Sells, Michelle Geller, Denise Lombardozzi, Amy Huff, Cynjon Noah, Dawn Supina, Robyn Coburn, Deb Trotter, Donia Nance and Cyndy Eng-Dinsel.

The MOOS are all packaged up and ready to head out the door. They'll be delivered all over the world-Canada, the US, Australia, the UK and New Zealand! Thanks to everyone who participated and made this so much fun.

As much as I enjoyed having the summer off and doing nothing but whatever I felt like doing, it looks like I am back to work now. I am busy booking classes for the fall and writing an article. It's taken me a couple of days to switch my brain back into work mode. You know how that goes! I am happy to do it though-it means my favourite time of year, Autumn is not far off! I cannot wait! For me, Autumn is such a joyous time. My spirit feels lighter and it's so beautiful here on the west coast of Canada.

If you haven't already checked it out, visit the Altered Page for the 2008 version of The Pulse. Question #2 is about collections and mine is up today!

This N' That

Copyright Tattered Edge 2008

It feels like I am always racing to keep up as the summer is slipping away. The last few days were unbearably hot here in BC-30C for four days straight. Sleeping was neigh impossible and the studio was more like a sweat shop so I didn't get much done. I did however manage to get some ATCs made for the monthly swap. This might look simple but it was several steps and took the better part of the day to make enough for Sunday. It's amazing how the heat can slow ya down!

Last Monday, I had an unexpected surprise waiting in my post box. My friend Deryn sent me this gorgeous necklace. It's the one she made specifically for the article I wrote about 3rd generation art from Moo cards for the July/August issue of Somerset Studio. She knew I loved it from the moment I first saw it.

It came beautifully wrapped with a note saying she hoped it would brighten my day. It most certainly did and I am very humbled by her generous gift. I seriously have the best friends in the world. THANK YOU Deryn! xox

In other news, I am participating in The Pulse on Seth Apter's blog, along with a slew of other artists. Seth will be posting The Pulse daily for a total of 30 days, so be sure and bookmark it so you don't miss a thing!

Indy continues to be a source of joy. He's just the sweetest pup ever and everyone who meets him falls in love with him. He makes me laugh alot. The other day he discovered ants and was stomping them with his big paws. It was interesting to see an animal interacting with an insect like that.

Last night he went to the garden with my husband. My husband was picking green beans and next thing he knows, Indy is there "helping" him-ripping the beans off the bush and nibbling them. (He loves veggies!)

The best thing about this little guy is he is a beautiful spirit-pure love. There's nothing like having a dog to love. I am so glad we got him. *bliss*

Hope everyone is having a great summer!

Charms for Charity

So about a week ago I mentioned that there was this project to raise money for ovarian cancer, Project Ties That Bind. The idea is that it's a collaborative doll, created around a wire dress form. The skirt will be made from neckties and the charms will be attached to the torso and then there will be a head and arms and all that good stuff.

I made two charms. The first is called "Love Lifted Me". I had the best time pounding the wire on my bench block and twisting and manipulating it. I love how folky it came out.

The second charm is "Angel of Courage". It's sort of a loose ode to Gilda Radner, who gift of laughter to the world was cut short by this disease. The hair is kind of Roseanne Roseannadanna-ish. I always loved Gilda. She was sweet and funny.

To see more charms for the project, please visit the Project Ties That Bind blog.

I've been busy making art this week for the collaborative I'm hosting, but I can't share my pages yet. It's going to be a great book and I am really excited about it.

The summer seems to be whipping by so quickly and I have really enjoyed having time off this year. Sometimes you need to shake things up and do something different. I had no idea we would have a puppy before the summer was over and I have to say, that has been one of the best thing about this summer! Another great thing is that the Artfest class list is up! It's that time of year again! YAY!

I hope you are enjoying the dog days of summer!

Published in a Charming Book!

So in January 2007, I was invited to make art for a new book on collaborative mixed media jewellery. The book was a spin off of an exchange I was in. It finally hit the stands this month!

I was supposed to get an advanced copy, but unfortunately, it's been lost in the mail, so I am waiting on a replacement copy. In the meantime, I had asked my library to purchase a copy (for the mixed media section I have quietly been building in the last 5 years) and it came in on Friday. I was finally able to see the end results!

This is a charm I made using a metal tag, glass glitter from Papier Valise and a tiny real sea star from Hannah Grey.

That charm became the focal point of this beautiful bracelet. I love it since I live by the ocean. It's very west coast.

Another piece I created was the button bracelet base for this sewing themed bracelet. I went through my precious stash of vintage mother of pearl buttons to make it. I also created the measuring tape charm that is up on the top right. (Unfortunately, it got flipped over so you are actually looking at the back...oh well...)

This charm, which also became a focal point for a wonderful necklace was created using a cog from my Gramps' workshop. The leaf fold over and the metal bird came from Papier Valise. I added sheet music and ultra fine glitter (that I call faerie dust) over top of the music.

Ruth Rae and Kelly Snelling did a wonderful job pulling all the pieces together. If you are interested in collaborative art jewellery, this is the book for you! You can find more info on the Charming Exchange Blog.

I just love doing work for publication. It's the challenge of it that amuses me. It's never the same thing twice and I love working under a deadline. It really gets the creative juices flowing!

P.S. The photos in this post are not exactly as they appear in the book. My scanner is not working so I had the camera and the flash washed them out a bit. (My apologies!) Trust me, the book is waaaay better than it looks here!

Dog Days of Summer

We took our pup Indy to the seawall in Stanley Park yesterday. (My favourite place.) The weather was a bit grey and slightly rainy at first, but eventually, it cleared up and got sunny and warm.

This pic was taken down on the beach in a spot where there was a bit of beach. His nose was going a mile a minute sniffing everything in his path.

If you look closely, you can see Indy's little brown "helmet". It's chocolate brown fur across his ears and the top of his head. His mum was a black Lab and his dad was chocolate. I love that he has this marking. We will always know with one glance that he's our dog!

We spotted this eagle sitting up in a snag in the cliffs above the seawall. There is always so much natural beauty to be seen in the park.

We also saw some cormarants fishing on the ocean side of the seawall.

This was one of my favourite photos of the day, Siwash Rock. You can read more about it here.

I saw a blue heron flying overhead and then it landed in this pine tree. (He's right in the middle, towards the top if you're having trouble spotting him.) It's always odd to see them in the pines. They actually nest in these trees, mainly near the aquarium in the center of the park. To learn more, go here.

We stopped for lunch at one of the concession stands up on the cliff, overlooking the ocean to take a break. All in all, we walked about an 8 km (about 4 miles) loop. Indy did really well and was really good with all the folks who stopped to pet and comment on him. We've decided next time we'll make him a sign to wear around his neck:

"My name is Indy. I am a boy. I am a pure bred black Lab. I am friendly and yes, I know I am cute."

*laughs* Can you guess how many times we had to say all this??

Anyway, it was a wonderful day spent with my honey and my sweet little puppy. (Our son was off doing other things yesterday, so we actually went out on a "date"!)

Tomorrow's post will have some cool news I'd like to share. Stay tuned!

The Summer List

First of all, happy BC Day* to my fellow British Columbians! Have a fun but safe holiday everyone!

And now, for your amusement (and my own!) "The List":

Reading: Stampington's Artful Blogging. The most recent issue is, in my humble opinion, the best one yet.

Watching: I wanted to watch House so I decided to rent seasons 1-3 over the summer. (Season 4 comes out in a few weeks.) That way when the new season starts in the fall, I will know what's going on.

I LOVE House, for the same reasons I love Rescue Me-it's that whole flawed hero thing and the lack of an edit button.

I also rented Music Within, which is a wonderful movie and *so* worth renting.

Listening: My friend Tina sent me some new music. I am really enjoying the soundtrack from Once. It's fab! Also enjoying Marc Cohn, Join the Parade. Nothing I love more than great music for the studio!

Anticipating: The eventual arrival of a book I have work published in. It got mailed to my old address by accident so I have no idea where it is in the postal system, but it will probably end up taking awhile to find it's way back to me. Not ideal, but them's the breaks. Nothing I can do but wait for it to be returned to the publisher and then sent back to me at my proper address. *sigh* so much for being an advanced copy!

Dreaming: Of getting my week back on track and getting some work done.

Doing: Training Indy, my new puppy getting all his vaccinations taken care of.

We are celebrating the holiday today with friends coming over for a BBQ. Fun times!!

Creating: Working on the collaborative project and an exchange I am hosting, creating a charm for the ovarian cancer benefit project, writing articles and getting ready to do The Pulse on Seth's blog. (Seth is featured in the new issue of Artful Blogging! Congrats Seth!)

Check out Artsmiths' blog-there is a new Artist of the Month interview with Sally Turlington and we have been posting about summer in our various corners of the world.

*British Columbia Day is a civic holiday intended for all residents and workers to relax and enjoy the beauty and culture offered within this most spectacular province.

Ties That Bind Project

I just joined this project to raise funds for ovarian cancer. Although I have never known anyone personally whose life has been affect by this particular cancer, I do believe in "giving back" through art when I can.

"Giving back" in this case means creating a single charm to be added to the body of an art doll, which we be used to raise fund to help ovarian cancer patients an their families. It's really not asking too much. At best, it's a couple hours out of my day. That, I can easily do!

If you're interested in participating, please go to the project blog for more information or contact Kris Henderson.