Going In Circles

This past weekend was a long weekend in Canada. We were celebrating Victoria Day. My friend Deb mentioned she was thinking about new themes for a stitchy-quilty swap and one of the ideas was circles. Well that got me excited because I love circle themed art-so much so that I blasted down to the fabric store and bought fabrics to start sewing. Deb said it and I ran with it. As you can see, I ended up with a pretty little stack of quiltlets. This is what happens when you have a few days of leisure and no real plans. (Hooray for that!) 

I decided on two designs. One was this adorable vintage dog stamp I love, which I thought given the texture of the aqua fabric I got was a very good match. The fabric is a woven one which reminds me of vintage tea towels, The florals remind me of vintage pillow cases. The dog is taken from a 1950's reader. They just seemed to marry together perfectly.

The second design had to do with words that I felt lived in a circle: sacred circle, circle of trust, circle of love, circle of light and what goes around, comes around: Karma. (There were more words I could have used, but I only needed to make 11.)

Here's a close up of the two designs. I loved sewing on the teeny tiny sequins, which really look quite lovely. So much fun! (Although threading a straw needle with numb hands is a master's test in dexterity. Good thing I know a magic trick for threading a needle!) I managed to complete these in 3 days. (I tend towards working obsessively when I'm inspired.) All that's left to do is make and attach some tags to them so the recipients know where they came from. Once I've sent them off, I'll sew a few for myself.

Today I'm spending the day writing-deadlines are looming! 

Hello Again!

WHEW! The last week or so has been rough. (As is my way, I am classically understating things here.) The short story is I did 3 days of IV steroids last week which knocked me flat. I spent the next 5 days in bed, really sick and I'm still dealing with fallout. On a positive note, while I've been trying to recover, my peeps came through for me in the best way possible: they donated to my NMO fundraiser page and helped me exceed my goal! I can't tell you how loved that makes me feel and how deeply grateful I am. THANK YOU! 

Anyway, enough about cruddy diseases! Let's talk art and life!
Here are some things that are going on my summer to-do list:

The Sea to Sky Gondola: This is a brand new air tram that takes you above The Chief in Squamish. It opens May 16th and I think the tickets are reasonably priced. One of the things I am excited about is that you can buy a season's pass for your dog! When we were in Whistler last, I wanted to do the Peak to Peak with Indy, but dogs weren't allowed because it's a Provincial park. The Sea to Sky Gondola allows dogs on leash on designated gondolas and $15 from each $25 dog pass is being donated to the SPCA. It's totally win-win. The dog pass is a season's pass, so that's exceptional value for your furry friend. You can choose to hike up the mountain and then ride down or you can ride up, hike the trails at the top and then ride down. (Which is what I want to do.) Here is a post about it that has some beautiful photographs of the views. There is also a free app that has all kinds of useful information. I am *so* doing this! I already have 4 fellow adventurers who want to go with me. 

(The returns from Deb's exchange.)

Sewing/Quilting: I just completed an exchange with my friend Deb and her merry band of needle artists. It made me realize that I miss working with fabric. (I began my artistic life as a textile artist.) Handwork has become so incredibly hard as the neuropathy in my hands has gotten worse, but I can still rock the sewing machine and I have a walking foot (for machine quilting) so perhaps it's time I put that attachment to good use. My goal is to make some things from my Textiles and Fibres Pinterest board. I am especially enamoured with the strip quilts. Some of the ones I've pinned are in such pretty colourways.

Reading: I've been reading alot of e-books via my library using an app called Overdrive which was recommended to me by Penn. I've mowed through James Patterson's Alex Cross series and have now moved onto his Murder Club series. It's great for someone like me who reads 3-4 novels a week because I don't have to leave the house to pick up or return books. I am still borrowing books from the library, but this keeps me going-I'm never without something good to read. I am keeping track of what I've read and what I want to read using the Goodreads app. It's super helpful!

I am sure that this to-do list is going to grow, but it's off to a good start!

Progress

 

I managed to work on one of my paintings yesterday after all. It's by no means finished, but I am happy working on it as the spirits move me. I wish the light were better in the studio today so the photos would be truer, but it's pouring rain and dark out. 

It's interesting to see the progression. As you can see I added thins and then painted them out again. It's quite a forgiving process. I haven't moved on the first painting this week. I am not sure what I want to do with it yet. I have another blank canvass sitting here and I may just lay some paint down on that one later tonight.

I forgot to post this photo of all the 15 little quiltlets I stitched for a exchange I am in. It's for a Teesha Moore style project. It was a true labour of love making these, as it's really difficult to stitch with hands you can't feel. Imagine trying to thread a needle wearing oven mitts and you'll have some idea what it's like. 

Despite the challenge, it was fun to pick through my collections of vintage celluloid, Bakelite and mother of pearl buttons and to find that perfect scrap of lace for each one. I used mostly Aunt Gracie reproduction 1920 and 30's fabrics. I sent the whole lot off and am now awaiting the returns. I am sure they will be beautiful! 

The Magic Mailbox: Postcards & Ephemera

Yesterday was an good mail day!

Teresa Robinson and I decided to do a postcard exchange and this is the one she sent to me. She's been working on an index card a day for some time now. You can see some of them here.

I love how the message is so serendipidous. I'm going to hang it on my inspiration board behind my desk so I can read it often! I like the part about being of service (the foundation of my life) and becoming "an evergrowing channel for the light". I've talked about luminaries several times here on my blog. It's a theme that comes up over and over in my life.

This was the stamp on the envelope Teresa sent. I am a fan of unusually shaped postage. I'll be keeping this! I'm going to peel it off carefully and put it in my journal.

The second piece of mail was a package from Jessica. A couple weeks ago, Janice of Papier Valise and Janine of Uppercase Magazine hosted a Paper Stampede in Calgary, Alberta. I emailed Jessica to tell her about it (talk about enabling!) and the lucky duck went. There were all kinds of amazing goodies to be had and she very generously sent me some of her purchases! Have a look see:

Fabric ribbons with numbers & x's and o's, a  matchbook style package of 5c hardware store tags, a foxy "Got Craft" button for my button collection, bird book pages...

...a copy of Wordbasket from 1978 (they always have the most amusing ads), a packet of 90 joss papers...

..charming letter press postcards...

...Canadiana postcards...

...two packets chock full of emphemeral goodness...

(the reverse of both packets)

I was absolutely delighted to find vintage medical labels, which I collect inside, along with some really cool film canister labels! There was so much amazing stuff to add to my journals.

And then there was this: a Canadian Land Inventory map from 1971, the year I was born. I have an affinity for old maps, especially those from Canada. I opened it up to find this:

The colours are actually more vibrant than they appear in this photo. I was delighted! I have several ideas of what I'd like to use this for. I'm going to colour copy it-it's just too amazing to cut up!

Thank you sweet friends for such a great mail day! I loved everything and can't wait to play in the studio over the long weekend. Your timing was perfect!

Good Mail Day!

Last month I signed up for the Pretty Packages exchange over at Hello Friend.

My partner was Shayla who lives in Ontario.

She wrapped everything so nicely.

And these were the goodies inside:

A funky set of shakers, a roll of blue chevron washi tape, a skein of blue bakers twine, a vintage camera Moleskine journal, a set of hand charms, Canada goose magnets and a packet of vintage ephemera. Fun stuff!

If you'd like to see what I sent Shayla, she's posted it on her blog here.

Thank you for the lovely goodies Shayla! Love them!

*****

I'm probably going to take a few days off blogging. I woke up yesterday in horrible pain, to discover that my eye was painfully swollen and ugly. (Saving anyone who is squeemish from a more detail description!) I went to see the doc in the afternoon and she thinks it's an eye infection from allergies. I've got $60 worth of eye meds and hopefully it will blow over soon. It was a rough night last night. I was exhausted, but couldn't sleep because my head was killing me.

 I'm reduced to watching the Olympics with my one good eye now. 

I'm nothing, if not a diehard fan!

Winner!

Strength In Numbers

A few months ago, the BC & Yukon Division of the MS Society ran a photo contest for images depicting self-help support groups in our region. I'd taken this photo of my group for an article I wrote for Someonelikeme.ca (the MS Society's website for younger people who either have MS or have a loved one affected by MS) about the value of support groups. When the call for photographs went out, I figured why not? Turns out it was a smart move on my part-I won 2nd place!

So what did I win? Well, there's a $40 Starbuck's gift card on its way to me, which will be used to purchase some treats for my group! CAKE POPS FOR EVERYONE! In addition to that, my photo was published in the Division's newsletter, MS Hope, MS Heros. (If you click the link, the photos appear on the last page, so scroll right down.) It was nice news to receive and I can't wait to surprise my group with goodies next week when we meet.

*****

Just a quick reminder, there are just 3 days left to sign up for the Washi Tape exchange. Details here.

Vancouver's Hidden Gem

I'm now into my 2nd week of Swan Dive. I've already learned something new from taking this class a second time and I'm really enjoying meeting new classmates and reconnecting with familiar ones. Everyone dove right in and the work has been amazing already! This week, we're talkin' textures and I've been busy!

Our instructor, Vivienne lives in Vancouver and often shoots at a warehouse that is home to the motherload of all graffiti. I LOVE graffiti! Vivienne very kindly pointed me in the right direction and so on Saturday, my husband, Indy and I went to go check it out. I was not disappointed! This place is a hidden gem.

As I was wandering around, snapping photos, two guys pulled up in a truck and began unloading painting supplies. They are two of the artists who have been working on the building for some time. I'll have to go back in the summer and see  how the building has evolved.

 Warehouse


The warehouse itself is a really interesting building. The wood is weathered and aged and lots of the windows are broken. I could see the faded evidence of signage near the roof line from days gone by. I shot a ton of photos and it's likely you'll see more of them here, as time goes on.

My apparent gift for finding couches in bizarre settings is becoming a bit of a joke and I couldn't resist documenting them too. Perhaps this is going to become a new series?!?  This is #2 in a series I like to call Urban Couches.*laughs*

Only In Vancouver

This is #1, which was shot at the dog beach a couple weeks ago. The dogs (predictably) had had a go at it and I imagine the city has carted it off by now.

I've also been revisiting some photos I shot for previous classes, but never worked with. Sometimes there is wisdom in waiting to work on something until you know what you want to do with it, as is the case with this image. I shot this graffiti (the words) on the edge of Chinatown last summer and now I've layered with various textures.

An "art" installation on the grounds of the Vancouver Museum, also from last summer. No cloning here-this is what it actually looks like! 

November


This shot is a favourite from my visit to the salmon graveyard in the fall.
As always, click on the images if you want to view them larger.

EDIT:

Before & After

I am adding this before and after image so you can see the dramatic difference between the photograph I shot and the results post-processing can yield. THIS is my sweet spot of creativity and why I love Swan Dive so much!


Before I sign off, just a reminder that sign ups are in full swing for the Washi Tape exchange I'm hosting. Just 5 more days to join the fun!
Details are here.

For the Love of Washi Tape

Calling all Washi Tape lovers! I am hosting a Washi tape exchange! Yes, it's something I've been planning for some time, but this is the first chance I've had to set things in motion!

Here are the details. Please read carefully before signing up:

When everyone has signed up, I will be sending each participant 3 pre-cut, laminated sheets. The reason for this is that these sheets allow you to affix your tapes and send them in a way that makes it super simple for those receiving them to remove them without damaging them. (Trust me, I've sent tons of tape to friends through the mail and this is THE way to do it!)

Participants will affix two strips of each of the Washi tapes they are sending, four sets on the front and four on the back of each of the three sheets I am sending. (The sheets measure 3 x 5, so strips are 3 inches long. Just like the example I've posted above.) 

Please use patterned tapes, rather than plain ones-we're looking for variety in colour and pattern here. The three sheets can be identical or they can be different from one another-whichever you prefer, so long as there are 8 different tapes on each sheet.

If you're not sure what exactly qualifies as Washi tape for the purpose of this exchange, Craft Test Dummies has an excellent explanation here. Any of the types of tape they are showing in their post are acceptable. (ie: Tapes made by MT, Smash, Hamby, Tim Holtz or 7 Gypsies.) 

Please do not send plastic packing tapes. That's a whole other thing and not what we're looking for for this exchange. Thanks!

Once you've got your sheets filled, mail them back to me along with $2 (US or CDN funds-doesn't matter) to cover postage and a self-addressed mailing label. When I've received all the submissions, I'll swap them out and send you back 3 sheets of Washi goodness! Easy-peasy!

I will accept sign-ups until Sunday, April 15th. To participate, email me your name and mailing address. Please put "Washi Tape Exchange" in the subject line. When I receive your email, I'll let you know I've added you to the list of participants. I will mail out the laminated sheets to all participants at once, after sign-ups are closed.

Mail your Washi sheets back to me, on or before May 22nd.

Any questions, just holler!

Ready? Set? GO!